By REJOICE KUNGWA
Some students of the University of Jos have expressed their opinion on the leadership style of the President of the Student Union Government (SUG), Joshua Danladi Adankala, who has shown the true spirit of good leadership which is worthy of commendation specifically in his administration’s reaction to the recent hike in the price of hostel accommodation by the University management.
Students of UniJos resumed school on the 10th of January with the information from the University Management that there has been almost 70%-100% increase in the prices of hostel accommodation which the news did not down well with most students as observed by UniJos Echo. In a swift reaction, the SUG President with his entire cabinet, kicked against the outrageous increment in the price of hostel accommodation. Through a press release, Adankala lamented the economic challenges in the country and how students are struggling to survive the economic hardship therefore “the inflation in hostel fees is not a welcome idea as this will only be an added burden to the students and their parents”.
The former cost for hostel accommodation for the Students’ Village Village and Abuja hostels was both N13,200 and has been increased to N30,500. The Naraguta and Zion hostels were N30,200 but are now N60,500 while the PG hostels moved from N80,200 to N110,000. The MBBS hostels which were N100,200 pegged at N120,500 and Barick road and Richard hostels were increased from N13,200 to N40,500. However, the President advised the students to stay calm as they would be meeting with the management to deliberate the chances for a reduction in the prices before anyone pays the fee, according to the press statement.
The SUG had in a congress meeting held on the 11th of January 2022 formed a special committee that was able to gather the students’ opinion that the fee is reduced by 50% and after a series of deliberations and engagements, the University Management approved the SUG’s request and new hostel accommodation prices emerged. The Students’ Village and Abuja hostels now go for a price of N21,850, Naraguta and Zion hostels go for N45,350, PG hostels N95,350, MBBS N110,350 naira, and Barick road and Richard hostels N26,850 respectively.
Although Daze Favour and Temidoye Joy, both 300-level Mass Communication students are complaining about the slow network and the long time the hostel portal is taking to open, they showed excitement about the good job done by the SUG. Deborah Yunana confirmed the new hostel fee to be true after booking and paying N46,850 for the Zion hostel with charges for services applied. Obadiah Livingstone, also of the Department of Mass Communication, 300 level, had expressed so much gratitude to the leadership of the Union and hopes that the incoming leaders will walk in the footprints of Adankala and his cabinet to keep the chain of effective leadership moving. He further stated that the students should be wise in their choices by voting for credible leaders who are capable of representing them at all times and all levels and would love exemplary leadership like the present SUG.
