The management of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi State, has reversed its earlier ban on the use of gas cylinders for cooking in student hostels.
During the orientation ceremony for newly admitted students on Sunday, Professor Sa’id Umar, Dean of Students’ Affairs, announced the decision. He stated that the Students’ Affairs Division, in collaboration with the Students’ Union Government, had developed new guidelines for gas cylinder usage and hostel management.
Following a policy review, the university now permits only 3kg gas cylinders in hostels, aligning with best practices at other institutions. Any student found using a larger cylinder will face confiscation.
Assistant Superintendent of Fire I, Federal Fire Service, Umar Lawal, highlighted that 90% of fire incidents result from negligence, carelessness, and ignorance. He urged students to avoid overloading electrical circuits, which increases fire risks and to purchase gas cylinders only from authorised dealers or regulated gas stations under the supervision of the Department of Petroleum Resources.
The Federal Fire Service’s Public Relations Officer in Bauchi reiterated the importance of fire safety, cautioning that electrical overloading is a major hazard in hostels.
Deputy Dean of Students’ Affairs, Dr Aisha Alhassan, announced plans to introduce periodic sanitation exercises within the hostels. She urged students to maintain a clean and healthy living environment, treating the hostels as their home.
The university emphasizes that these measures aim to enhance student safety, welfare, and academic excellence.
