Angry University of Ibadan students in Oyo State staged a peaceful demonstration at the University College Hospital in response to the 82-day power outage.
The teaching hospital has been facing power outages for the past year as a result of debts owed to the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company.
UCH Ibadan is the teaching hospital where University of Ibadan medical students receive training. The teaching hospital has been facing power outages since last year as a result of arrears owed to the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company.
The President of the University’s Student Union Government, Comrade Bolaji Aweda, spoke to journalists about the ongoing blackout and its impact on academic activity at the hospital and university.
He stated that the situation has lasted for more than 82 days because students were unable to study effectively.
Aweda claimed that the blackout was a power play between IBEDC and UCH officials.
“The blackout has lingered for over 82 days now, and for over two months, there has been no light at the University College Hospital, which has affected the livelihood of our students,” he said.
“The lack of electricity is why we are out on the street today. We have reached out to the school management severally. It is a kind of power play between the University College management and the University of Ibadan management,” he added.
Among other things, the SUG President said the demands of the protesting students were “the immediate restoration of light to the University College Hospital and all hospitals in Nigeria that are currently facing the same blackout.”
He also called for the implementation of the 50 percent discount on tariffs announced by the Federal Ministry of Power in 2024, as well as the revamping of the nation’s healthcare sector.
Student Leader, Sunday Tobilola, stated that the nonviolent protests would be supported by a series of discussions with stakeholders to resolve the issue.
He reiterated that failing to resolve the electricity issues would result in full action to meet their demand.
The nonviolent demonstrators then moved from the UCH to the Governor’s Office in the Secretariat in Ibadan, Oyo State’s capital.
Sunday Odukoya, Governor Seyi Makinde’s executive Assistant on security, welcomed the demonstrators at the secretariat.
He told the demonstrators that the state government will work with the Federal Government to resolve the problem.
