ELECTRICITY SUPPLY IN UNIVERSITIES: AJAYI CROWTHER’S EXAMPLE
Energy supply in many universities across Nigeria is a major problem. Just as the country cannot meet the energy needs of the citizens so is also the inability of school management to provide sufficient electricity power for teaching, learning and practical in most of the higher institutions of learning in Nigeria.
This conundrum has no doubt, often, if not regularly, created tension in many academic campuses. Obviously , lack of power supply stultifies learning! It stifles teaching and frustrates, generally, academic enterprise! It impedes progress! It thwarts productivity among other negative tendencies.
Recently, this writer stumbled on a frustration-induced WhatsApp message in which a student of a particular private university was warning potential students not to apply to his university because there is no light in their campus. Energy crisis is pervasive in Nigeria. People seem to have accepted it as part of their lots. It is rather ridiculous that energy supply that is taken for granted in other climes is what has become an albatross in Nigeria!
Perhaps it is against this backdrop that one is compelled to be charitable to the relentless effort of the Managements of Ajayi Crowther University (ACU), Oyo, which is providing, at least, five hours of energy to the needs of its staff and students on a daily basis. The initiative which is however costing a huge some of money is at least, making life more bearable for the members of the university’s community.
Regardless of the epileptic service of the Ibadan Distribution Company, Ajayi Crowther University under the leadership of its Vice Chancellor, Prof. Timothy Abiodun Adebayo endures there is light on campus between 6 and 8 in the morning, as well as between 7 and 10 in the night. This is laudable.
With this creative initiative in place, staff and students can recharge their gadgets, do a lot with electricity supply within those five hours. This is still far better than total darkness that usually envelopes some other campuses for days, thus, creating discomfort and crisis.
Although Power Minister, Mr. Adebayo Adedibu has reminded us that “electricity is not cheap”, this does not mean government shouldn’t think like the ACU Management team which is making commendable efforts towards providing succour for staff and students despite the huge costs. It is the responsibility of the leaders to take care of the led.
Therefore, it is not out of place to thank the VC, Prof. Adebayo and his team including the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Prof. Benjamin Olumuyiwa Popoola, the Registrar, Dr. Jadesola Babatola, the Bursar, Mr. Ayodele Olusanwo and the Acting University’s Librarian, Dr. Oluwatoyin Olukemi Oso for the quality of leadership they are providing at Ajayi Crowther University.
