By Adesakin Adefemi
In a dramatic turn of events, students of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY) in Abeokuta, Ogun State, have taken to the streets to protest against prolonged power outages affecting their campus and host communities.
The demonstration, which began early Monday morning, saw a large gathering of students carrying placards and chanting slogans, temporarily disrupting activities at the Leme office of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC).
The students, who are frustrated with the erratic power supply, are demanding immediate restoration of power and clearer communication from IBEDC.
They cited disruptions to academic activities, particularly studies and preparation for examinations, as well as daily life in student residential areas, as the main reasons for their protest.
According to eyewitnesses, the protest was peaceful, with students marching through the streets and chanting slogans such as “We want power!” and “IBEDC, hear us!” The demonstration temporarily disrupted activities at the IBEDC office, with staff and customers struggling to navigate the crowded streets.
Officials from IBEDC are currently engaging with student leaders to address the grievances, with security personnel present at the scene to maintain order. The students have been assured that their concerns will be addressed, and a statement from the management of IBEDC is expected later today.
This protest highlights the ongoing struggles of students in Ogun State with power supply issues, with many having to rely on alternative sources of power, such as generators and power banks, to charge their devices and study.
The situation has become so dire that many students are calling for the government to intervene and ensure a more stable power supply.
The protest has caused concern among residents and stakeholders, who are calling for a more stable power supply to support academic activities and daily life. “It’s unacceptable that students are being forced to protest over something as basic as electricity,” said a local resident. “The government needs to step in and ensure that IBEDC provides a reliable service.”
The outcome of the protest and the response from IBEDC are still awaited, with many watching to see how the situation will unfold. In the meantime, students are advised to remain calm and continue to engage with the authorities to resolve the issue.
The MAPOLY Students’ Union has issued a statement assuring students that they are working tirelessly to resolve the issue and will provide updates as soon as possible.
