UDUS Students Reconsider Night Reading as Inactive Solar Streetlights Make Walkways Risky

Students of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS) are now reconsidering night reading, as returning to their hostels has become risky due to inactive solar-powered streetlights along the walkways

During the day, UDUS campus bustles with activities, as students rush for lectures, engage in extracurricular activities, and more. But at night, safety concerns send fear down students’ spines.

Many Students who spoke with Vanguard Press recounted their daily struggles and appealed to the school management to come to their rescue

Ismail Gbagba, a 300-level Agricultural Science student, expressed displeasure over the danger it poses to students.

"I feel nervous," he explained, with visible concern etched onto his face. "Being unable to see one's surroundings at night raises fears of possible attacks or hidden dangers."

Though he now has to reschedule his reading routine, Gbagba recalled that safety could have been better guaranteed if the walkways were properly lit and fears eased by adequate illumination.

Fortunately, efficient lighting now comes at a reduced cost with the advent of solar energy, a sustainable solution powered by the sun, which stores energy during the day in a battery system to provide light at night.

In addition, it helps increase visibility on campus and assists in emergency situations by providing responders with timely access.

However, students find solar-powered streetlights not working in areas populated by the student community unhelpful. For Musa Abdullah, a 300L student of Education Islamic Studies, solar-powered streetlights ought to be mounted at routes frequently used by students, such as the Jato bridge

Similarly, Muhammad Bashiru Umar, a 100-level student from the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, now resorts to studying in his hostel.

Willing to study but afraid of returning at night through dark pathways, he says he’s cautious of becoming a victim, losing belongings to individuals who harass students at night.

Once an active participant in group discussions, Alakoso Yusuf, a 300L student of Curriculum Studies, laments about leaving school ahead of time scheduled, in fair consideration of members' lecture schedules, which makes daytime out of options.

"Our success as students depends on how much time we commit to studying," Yusuf said, hopeful that the management's intervention would make a big difference.

Management Working Hard to Get Things Fixed, Says Student Leader

When contacted for comments, Nasiru Yusuf Shehu, the Student Union Caretaker Chairman, reiterated UDUS VC, Prof. Bashir Garba’s administration’s commitment to prioritizing students’ welfare.

Shehu explained that the issue is likely due to power supply shortages and noted that the issue has been tendered before the university management.

He expressed optimism that with hands on deck working hard to fix the problem, it will be resolved soon.

By Yusuf Abdulqudus