Pothole-Ridden Walkways: A Risk to Students' Safety

By
By Taiwo Oyedeji
The deteriorating condition and increasing appearance of potholes and improperly covered holes on pedestrian walkways have become a growing concern among the students of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU). These potholes, which vary in size, are located on walkways leading to various faculties and departments, with the most common areas being the walkway leading to the School Bookshop and the College of Health Sciences, as well as the walkways leading to the Department of Pharmacy, the Faculty of Social Sciences, Yellow House, and other places.
Picture of one of the potholes on the walkways 

These potholes create hazards that can lead to serious injuries for students and pedestrians who are unaware of the uneven pavement.Students who frequently use these walkways have expressed frustration, fear of tripping, and inconvenience from using these damaged paths.

Students Lament
Olamide, a first-year student in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology, lamented how these holes have been affecting her physically challenged friend. Olamide's friend, who is visually impaired, has struggled with the risky potholes, and helping her navigate through them has not been an easy task for Olamide.


Oyinkansola, a finalist from the Department of English, also cited areas where potholes are common. She mentioned locations such as the ODLT, Moremi, and the White House. She recounted her near-falling experience while using these walkways.

Love Adefehinti from the Department of Computer Engineering expressed how these potholes are a nuisance for students trying to move between classes and participate in other activities, especially during busy hours.

Many believe this issue has been overlooked for too long, despite its daily impact on campus life. However, students are implored to be vigilant about their surroundings and to eliminate distractions, especially the use of phones, while navigating these walkways in order to avoid potential accidents
Picture of one of the potholes on the walkways 

The school management is urged to recognize the urgent need to prioritize the safety of students, staff, and all walkway users by repairing and maintaining the walkways to ensure a safe environment for everyone.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Breaking Barriers: Exclusive Interview with the Only Female Bus Driver on OAU Campus

By
Image
By Esther Ademola The Icons Organization, in collaboration with Great Ife Network, recently conducted an exclusive interview with Mrs. Elugbaju, the sole female driver on the OAU campus. Standing out as the only woman among the Towngboro drivers, Mrs. Elugbaju has sparked curiosity about her motivation. During the interview, she shared insights into her experiences and shed light on her journey as a female driver in a male-dominated field. Question : Can you introduce yourself? Mrs Elugbaju : My name is Mrs Elugbaju. I am one of the driver of buses in the campus, I'm the only lady. Question : How did you become a bus driver especially in a University like Obafemi Awolowo University? Mrs Elugbaju:  I'm a civil servant. This is just a part time job for me. After office hour like 5:00pm, I do bring my bus and I will be loading from campus to gate and from gate to Campus like around 7:30pm-8:00pm then I will go back. READ ALSO: OAU Secures Two Gold Medals in Judo at FA...
Read more

Fresher's Week'24: Students' Union Holds Freshers Inter-Faculty Debate

By
Image
By  Adetunji Oluwafemi The Great Ife Students’ Union on Monday, 3rd November 2024, held its planned inter-faculty debate for freshmen. The debate is part of the events that have been prepared for Fresher’s Week 2024. The event experienced a slight delay, as the venue was moved from the 1000-seater to Oduduwa Hall by the order of the school management, which requested that the initial venue be vacated because the office of the Vice President, responsible for the event, failed to seek permission before using it. The event began at 12:35 PM. Faculties were paired and assigned topics: the Faculty of Administration and Science had the topic "Corrupt Democracies are Preferable to Dictatorships"; the Faculty of Agriculture and Dentistry debated on the topic "Subsidy is a Necessary Compromise of the Government, and Should be Implemented in Areas of Essential Public Domains"; the Faculty of Arts and Technology had the topic "Civil Disobedience is a Moral Wea...
Read more

SPECIAL REPORT: Inside UI and OAU Public Hostels

By
Image
By The Icons Organization and Indy Press  For Deborah, a 100-level student and resident of Obafemi Awolowo Hall of residence, University of Ibadan, staying in her hall of residence was a choice she made because she was in her first year of study. She believed this choice was the safest way to get familiar with the school and its environment. Posi, another student, on the other hand, resides in a school hostel due to proximity. “I stay in Obafemi Awolowo Hall of Residence because of its proximity to classes; the fact that it is cheaper, it is less stressful than house hunting, and much safer than staying outside school,” Posi explained.  Posi's reason for staying in Obafemi Awolowo Hall is the same as that of many students who find themselves in public hostels — it is often cheaper and closer to school. This goes to show just how important hostel accommodation is for students in any university, as it affects both their academics and overall wellbeing.  Unfortun...
Read more