Ruth Semilore
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Students of the University of Ibadan (UI), on Tuesday night, protested against the current rationalisation of electricity supply in the institution’s campus.
It was gathered that UI management had introduced a 10-hour daily electricity supply within the campus.
The new policy was contained in a memo issued by the Department of Works and Maintenance of the University.
The memo, dated July 16, 2024, was signed by the director of Works, Engineer O.A. Adetolu.
“Effective immediately, the vice-chancellor has approved 10-hour daily electricity supply on campus as follows: day time: 08 a.m. – 02 p.m. (6 hours), night time: 10 p.m. – 02 a.m. (4 hours). Kindly adhere strictly to the approved schedule. Thank you,” the memo stated.
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The enraged students, however, rejected the schedule and embarked on a protest since Tuesday night.
A source said,
“There was a protest yesterday night that lasted till about 2am today (Wednesday).”
The student, who didn’t want to be named, said the institution introduced the notice that it would start rationing a 10-hour electricity distribution on campus, adding, “This follows an outrageous increment in fees, introduction of inexplicable and duplicated fees like utility levy, which is N20,000, among other questionable protest resolution.”
As a result, the student union resolved that there would be neither lecture nor transportation within the school premises on Wednesday.
The student union’s president, Aweda Bolaji; general secretary, Ogundijo Japheth, and speaker, Opegbemi Busoye, in a statement said the mass action would continue continue on Wednesday, July 17, 2024 from 5:00am.
They said union officials must make available all resources, including the Aluta Jet, public address system, and the student union officials must be present to join the mobilisation efforts towards the protest.
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They added that the school authorities must withdraw the memo on electricity rationing dated July 16, 2024, demanding constant power supply within the school effective immediately.
They also called for the reversal of all fees and not reduction while those that have paid must be refunded.
The student union condemned the alleged ongoing victimisation of three students of the University, namely Aduwo Ayodele, Olamide Gbadegeshin, and Nice Linus, who embarked on a peaceful protest on May 13, 2024 and as such called for the end to their alleged victimization.
