Aliko Dangote Varsity Females Students Lament Night Lockout

By Muhammad Ahmad

No fewer than 54 female Students of Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology Wudil, Kano state belonging to block E of have lamented being locked out of their hostel by a university Authority overnight despite the weather conditions and possible security threat.

All the 54 students were asked to pay N2,000 each as penalty before the school authorities could be opened the again.

Some students who spoke to newsmen on the matter complained that the students of the affected block violated some rules when they poured water in a restricted area in the hostel for which they were all forced out of the hostel.

According to investigations, the block was locked on the instruction of the Dean Students Affairs while they were asked to pay the penalty dues.

“There is instruction that water should not be poured in the walkway which students of a particular block violated and all those in the block were forced to sleep out.

“They have been doing this and when the students violated the regulation they are forced to pay N3,000 as punitive measure.

“We don’t know who we are paying the money to but I doubt if it is actually the account of the school” a student who doesn’t want her name mentioned in media stated.

It was also rumoured that one of the affected students collapsed due to the cold dry weather outside although that has not yet been confirmed.

Speaking through the Dean Students Affairs, Abdulqadir Muhammad Dambazau, the University authorities dismissed the allegations saying the hostels were renovated and decongested and new rules were put in place for those who occupy the rooms.

He explained that the female students were fond of defecating in the open space within the hostel, while others shower in the open.

“These not only have risk to health and hygiene but also the moral standards of occupying a space in the school hostel” he explained.

On the issue of penalty fees forced on the students, which affects only 10 out of the 60 in the block, he further confirmed that it is true that there is a fine for violating the rules of occupying a bed space in the school hostel.

“Whosoever violates such rules would be warned twice, and if he persists will be forced to pay N2,000 as penalty. On the issue of a student collapsing as a result of the closure of the hostel is not true. Neither the university authority nor the Students’ Union Government is aware of this.

“Contrary to the allegation that the money is paid to private account, no, the money is paid to the account of the Students’ Affairs.

“Some of these rules including barring the students from cooking inside the congested rooms with gas cookers to avoid accidents”

“We have also changed the former system of reserving the rooms for those who have connections. Now everyone is entitled and can register and make payments online and be allocated” he added.

He explained further that the school is taking shape with the renovations and construction of facilities that have changed the former ways to better standards.

The total number of students in the school is about 24,000 while the hostels can only accommodate 5,400 with the available facility. This is about a quarter of of all the students while the remaining are living off campus.