At 10 am, Wednesday, 22nd of January, protesters under the auspices of the Save UCH movement were addressed at the gate of the Oyo State secretariat by Mr Fatai Owoseni, Executive Assistant to the Oyo State Government on Security and one-time Oyo State Commissioner of Police.
With the gates of the facility barred to the protesting UI/UCH students, the public servant came out to the crowd to acknowledge their stance and provide assurances on the future. Speaking to the Press, he was quoted as saying, ‘This thing (protest) has to do with the Federal Government, not the state.’ He tried to pacify the students with reports of the Presidency’s goodwill but the chanting students demanded a date when light will be restored. Watch the videos below:
In a quick chat with the Press, the current President of the Student Union of the University of Ibadan, Aweda Bolaji, mentioned that the peaceful demonstration aims to call the attention of the Federal Government to the most recent (82 days) lingering issue of blackout in the University College Hospital (UCH) and to register the displeasure of the student body— students in Alexander Brown Hall and Ayodele Falase Postgradute Hall—to the situation. He expects the outcome of this demonstration to end with discussions with relevant stakeholders on how to restore the electricity as soon as possible. Also, concerning alternative measures the Union has explored, he stated that the Union has tried to do so in many regards, citing communication with the Commissioner of Police as an example. Watch the video below:
As of Press time, protesters are currently at the Federal Secretariat, Ikolaba, chants of “Come outside!” accompanying.
Simeon Okojie
Gerald Olokungbemi
