By Omobolanle Taofeek and Mercy Ojegbola
The Department of English, Obafemi Awolowo University, has improved in appearance as the lobby takes on a new look with brighter bulbs and repainted walls, adding to its aesthetic appeal and academic relevance.
The lobby, which serves as a relaxation spot during the day and a reading space at night for students within and outside the department due to its accessibility and comfort, has been upgraded with new bulbs and a refreshed outlook.
The renovation, according to the President of the department, Ohacho Francis, was carried out by the departmental executive and funded through the NASELS account.
“The renovation was initiated by the departmental executives,and the funding is totally from NASELS account, as a NASELSite, your dues and everything that's where and what it is spent on.” he said.
Speaking on the motivation behind the renovation, he stated that it was born out of a desire to see change, as it had been years since any renovation was carried out in the department.
“It was a desire to see things new, because it's felt like over the years when we're having renovation in other departments, there haven't been anything done to English department and we've tried reaching out to our alumni but they're not responsive and it's been a big deal because where will we get the funding if we say we want to do something practical which need actual funding beyond we saying,we just want to do it, there's that clause of how do we do it,where do we get the money.” he noted.
The President also noted that executive members have on several occasions contributed financially to aid development in the department.
“Many of the times we have to pay with our own personal money but nevertheless, this is something that we considered among many other things that could have done but we felt that doing these will last than just doing welfare packages where we would have price slash for students and all, but then if we do that, even if the students will benefit from it, it's something that's just temporary.”
He added that repainting the lobby and improving lighting were deliberate efforts aimed at making the department more welcoming.
“Painting the department's lobby was a reasonable initiative. At least we can have the lobby looking more homely and we also look at the aspect of the light in the lobby. It's really poor light that we have; just two working bulbs,so we have to light up the lobby. We already got the materials and sockets at the lobby as well so it can be more this is my department -ISH not this is just a walk way.”
Addressing other infrastructural challenges in the department, particularly the broken windows at the lobby, Ohacho stated that fixing them was not feasible due to vandalisation.
“We can't just say we want to fix the window,if we decide to fix it, the students can break and steal it. We can fix it now and within two to three weeks it'll be stolen or broken. It's not really feasible and the cost implications might foil other plans we have for the session.” he said.
He further explained that the executive is currently focused on achievable and realistic goals that would be visible to students.
“Right now, we are just looking at the precise actionable plans, things that we can do within the workable budget. We have to be realistic, what can we achieve,we don't want to embark on white elephant project that'll just swallow up all the funds when there's nothing to actually be seen.” he noted.
The President, however, assured that there are plans for other infrastructural developments in the department that would be unveiled later.
“Apart from the luvas, we have other plans but don't let us unveil it now”. he said.
STUDENTS’ COMMENTS
Munirudeen, a Part Four student of the Department of English, said he had been looking forward to the renovation for over three years, noting that the department had maintained the same old look for a long time.
“The renovation of the English department is something I've been looking forward to ever since my part one days, that was 2021.
The department has always been doing a singular old look. I think stepping up to renovate this department, painting and fixing lights as well is giving the department a better outlook and also improving the security. It also enhances security measures, giving us more lights.” He said.
Speaking on other areas that require improvement, Munirudeen said more seats were needed at the lobby.
“I think more chairs should be added, because it's not nice for us to come to the department and find all the chairs occupied. English department alone, especially in the faculty of arts, has the largest number and also registered more than hundred freshmen.”
He also raised concerns about safety around the department.
“I think the pit at the front of the department needs to be attended to, because a lot of students have been falling to these pits and causing a lot of harm.” He added.
Another student, Jesufemi Oluwatimilehin Enoch, described the renovation as a positive development and called for more initiatives.
“This is a very good initiative, brought in by the association and I'll really say a big kudos to the executives who came up with this idea, because for a while now we have seen the way the place has been, the paint and everything has really faded away but now we have seen that there's a difference entirely. This is a very big one and I'll love to see more of these initiatives, God bless NASELS.” He said.
A Part One student of the department, Uko Ubong Emmanuel, while appreciating the efforts of the executive, stated that fixing the windows should be prioritised.
“ It's nice that they painted it and added new bulbs but the important thing is this window. This window is a turn off for me,I don't know about others but for me I just find it that other departments are fresher and not broken like ours. I think it should be on their top priority list.” He noted.
A student who pleaded to remain anonymous, however, argued that nothing significant had been done.
“To me personally there are no changes here, it's just painted. It's just there, there's nothing special about this place. They can do better.” He said.
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