By Ghareeb Floret
It is not uncommon to find dark rooms within each block of AAH at nights in the beginning of new academic session as rooms would be vacant, hence, not lighted. But seeing our Reading Room at Block A completely dark on one night gave me unusual attraction. About four/five weeks ago, this was the same room whose every chair was monopolised by residents who had as at that time turned to a crazy reader. Cooking at that time was difficult for residents. Tables were complaining of multiple notebooks, textbooks, laptops, amongst other things that were permanently placed upon ‘her necks’. Chairs must have lamented of not being spared just as the sockets must have winced seriously of so many plug-ins. Any light-break during this period was rewarded with disparaging remarks and scornful reactions, more than the conventional level. But asides, the Reading Rooms must have rejoiced being given the opportunity of exhibiting their functions. They must have found a reflection of their identity as ‘Reading Rooms’ in our collective interest in them as at this period when every hallite felt he has not come here to obtain a Terminal Masters. Even the non-hallites too were not left out as they temporarily made our Reading Rooms both their home and library for their examination period.
But alas! The status quo has changed. The session is just beginning. No exams, no assignments, no term papers and no project deadlines yet. The Reading Rooms could be empty from morning till evening. They must be feeling isolated and dejected.
But glad tidings dear Reading Rooms! In the next quick six weeks or thereabout, a lot of things would happen. Rooms would be filled, different departments would be serious, your ‘buddies’ would be given assignments and project anxiety would set in. Then, you would have the course to celebrate and even lament. But for now, relish your loneliness; we have our life to live.
Abdulsalami Abubakar Hall Press 