Agency report
College of Medicine students of the University College Hospital staged a peaceful protest on Wednesday over the persistent blackout at the hospital.
The protest, supported by the Students Union of the University of Ibadan, was held as early as 7:00 a.m.
The leader of the students, Bolaji Aweda, said the protest became necessary following the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum given to the management of both UI and UCH.
Mr Aweda, who alleged a power play among the stakeholders, added that the lack of electricity had lasted over 82 days.
According to him, the situation has affected the living conditions of students and their academics, making them unable to function well.
Mr Aweda said, “Our demand is the immediate restoration of power to UCH and other hospitals currently facing a similar situation.
“We desire the implementation of the 50 per cent electricity tariff discount announced by the Ministry of Power in August 2024 and the reform of the health sector in Nigeria.
“If UCH, the foremost healthcare hospital in Nigeria, is this bad, one can imagine what other health institutions in the country will look like.”
Also, a former leader of the students, Tobiloba Samuel, said they had explored consultative means with the managements of UCH and UI, which yielded nothing.
