By Gandada Dennis Maurice
Electioneering campaigns for the Village hostel Governorship office have been set in motion as the date for the election draws near.
The two contestants—Faith Ogbu Ochanya, a 300 level student of the department of Special Education, and Okoronkwo Uche Victor, a 300 level student of the department of Criminology—are locked in a heated contest to win the approval, support and votes of the electorates, amidst strong apathy.
The failures of the past Governors in addressing numerous challenges confronting the hostel has created a disconnection between students and the hostel executive arm, which makes the residents apathetic to the electioneering process.
The battered streets of Village Hostel
Image Credit: Gandada Maurice/Unijos Echo
The hostel, which accommodates approximately 2000 students every session, is one of the largest lodges in the University of Jos. However, it is also one of the least maintained facilities in the entire institution. From the largely dilapidated buildings and streets, to the excessively cramped living spaces which residents are forced to share, as well as the age long water shortage that is associated with the hostel.
In an exclusive interview with the UNIJOS ECHO, Faith Ogbu—the first ever female gubernatorial aspirant in the hotel’s history—expressed her commitment to use her experiences and skills to bring about holistic reforms in the administration of the affairs of the hostel, if elected as the governor.
She said, “ My experience as a former deputy Governor under the leadership of Comrade Timothy Gang has prepared me for the Job. If elected Governor, my administration will ensure that the lingering issues of poor water supply, the absence of proper lighting in the bathrooms—which has led to numerous students’ phones getting stolen—will be addressed.”
She promised to work with the school management and also explore corporate social responsibility of private companies in the city to address the “Villagers’” problems.
“I will collaborate with the school management, as well as other private bodies in the city to see to the total maintenance of the boreholes, cleaning of the water tanks, installation of lights in the bathrooms, as well as other pressing issues facing the community. She further assured that under her leadership student welfare will be her utmost priority.
“I promise to always represent the interest of residents of this beloved hostel and to listen to all of their views and grievances. I understand the reasons behind the students’ apathy and share in their disappointment; but to bring about the needed changes, all hands must be on deck and residents must come out in their numbers to make the right choice, and vote for “New Birth”.”
The opposition, Okoronkwo Uche, whose political mantra is “Voice of Hope” shared the same confidence, but in his ability to restore glory to the hostel.
Speaking with the UNIJOS ECHO, he said, “If given the mandate to be the next Governor, I will first ensure that the potholes lining the streets from the hostel gate down to Rusau gate, and the road which links up to the pedestrian bridge is fixed to provide Special Students who use crutches and wheelchairs, more convenient access to and from the Campus.”
The road leading to and from the pedestrian bridge
Image Credit: Gandada Maurice/Unijos Echo
Additionally, he promised to address the problem of leaking roofs, hostel clearance and to put a stop to payment of light maintenance fees that have caused a lot of discomfort to residents.
“Some of these problems are the results of a disjointed communication system. However, my administration will work to bridge every communication gap, and create a central channel for the dissemination of information”
He finally called on the residents of Village hostel to forget past failures and come out en masse to vote for him as their trusted governor.
The elections have been slated to hold toward the end of November 2023 and all residents of the hostel are thereby encouraged to participate in the process.
As opined in the famous words of Nanette L. Avery, “Talk is cheap, voting is free; take it to the polls.”
