The Perpetual Defacing of OAU Structures: A Call for Change

By
By Oyinlade Adeyemi

Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) has long been known for its architectural brilliance, vibrant flowers, and serene learning environment. However, this once pristine image is being undermined by the growing prevalence of vandalism on university structures through the indiscriminate pasting of papers on walls. Notices, political campaigns, event flyers, and advertisements are often plastered on lecture halls and other facilities, creating an eyesore that significantly detracts from the campus’s aesthetic appeal.

The primary issue with this practice is the degradation of the university’s visual appeal. The architectural design of OAU, which combines functionality and beauty, is slowly being obscured by layers of torn paper and adhesive marks. The walls of OAU, originally intended to reflect the elegance and heritage of the institution, are now blemished with cluttered announcements and glued posters. This not only diminishes the campus’s attractiveness but also conveys a sense of neglect, leaving a poor impression of the university's maintenance culture.

All these posters over time contribute to waste on campus; removing them also requires significant effort and resources. The root causes of this issue are a lack of awareness, inadequate alternatives, and weak enforcement against the defacement of university structures.


To avoid or address this issue, OAU must adopt some approaches such as: creating designated notice boards and strategically placing them around high-traffic areas; starting awareness campaigns to educate students and campus groups about the environmental and aesthetic impact of their actions through campaigns and seminars; engaging in strict enforcement of policies by imposing penalties on individuals or organizations caught violating them, which may include fines; and lastly, the school should engage in regular maintenance.

To sum it all up, the defacing of OAU structures is more than a superficial problem; it reflects deeper issues of environmental responsibility and institutional pride. It is our collective duty to preserve and uphold the campus’s beauty and legacy.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

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

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

Gilmore, StoneCode, and PaperChaze visit Angola Hall; Gilmore Drinks Garri with Angola Residents

By
Image
By Adetunji Oluwafemi  Nigerian comedian and skit maker, Muhammad Adekunle, popularly known as Gilmore, visited the Angola Hall of Residence during the evening hours of Saturday, 18th January 2025. He was spotted drinking Garri with the Chairman of the Angola Hall of Residence, Kujembola Olalekan (Ikuuboy), and other executives of the hall. The visit was a result of Markay Entertainment's OAU concert, which is currently being held at the Amphitheater. Gilmore, StoneCode and PaperChaze were the invited skit makers and artists set to perform at the concert. READ ALSO: How Poor Waste Management Has Constantly Been Affecting Fajuyi Hall Occupants StoneCode was the first to visit Angola Hall around 5:30p.m, where he was sighted exploring the hall and vibing with the occupants. He was later spotted chatting with the Hall Chairman at Angola Hall's entrance before he existed the hall. On another occasion, around 6:30 p.m., Gilmore was spotted at the Anglomoz car...
Read more