Students of the Federal University, Oye–Ekiti, on Monday staged a peaceful protest, demanding improved living and learning services.
The students marching in their scores Monday morning want the management of their school to repair a major access road across the campus, provide Wi-Fi, and improve services at the health centre, reported our correspondent monitoring the development at the school.
Concern about examination results is also part of the reasons for the protest.
The students alleged they had been given false assurances on the repair of the road, though some men began work on the road two months ago. However, barely into the work, the men stopped appearing on site, the students said.
Reporters learnt that the road contract had been awarded to Dere Construction Company, however, the project came to a halt weeks after the contractors began work on it.
The protest disrupted the academic activities of the institution.
Cops from Ilupeju Ekiti and Civil Lines police stations were seen as they tried to pacify the agitating students.
The students complained added that they have been facing numerous problems due to the lack of proper infrastructure in the institution.
A student who I identified himself as Vincent Ufuoma, said “the protest is actually called for, considering the poor condition of the school road. The school road, from phase 1–2 is not motorable anytime it rains; the students experience difficulties trying to trek on the road.
“Everywhere is muddy, the situation of the school is generally appalling.”
In an interview with our correspondent, the Students’ Union President of the institution, Fasakin Taiwo, also called Emerald, said; “we are not here to fight; rather, we are here to let the management know the challenges students are facing. We’ve been doing a lot of consultations and consolidation and evidently that have not yield forth fruit.
“The students are beginning to lose interest in us and that is the reason why we are staging a protest here today.
“Normally, it’s supposed to be a day protest but if there is no form of positive reaction from the management, it can last more than a day.
Pressed for comment, the University’s spokesperson claimed he was unaware of the protest and therefore he had no information at hand. He promised to get back any moment from now.
