UI Shut, As Students Protest Over Fuel Crisis

Authorities of the University of Ibadan on Monday shut the institution, forcing the students to embark on a two-week break. The university’s Director of Public Communication, Mr. Olatunji Oladejo, who stated this in a statement, noted that the break would end on June 7, 2015. According to Oladejo, the authorities took the decision at an emergency meeting on Monday. The statement added, “The Committee of Provost, Deans and Directors considered the current situation in the country as it
affects the running of the university vis-a-vis the lack of fuel to generate electricity. “The committee advised the vice-chancellor, who accepted and directed on behalf of the Senate, that students should go on a two-week mid-semester break from today Monday, 25 May, 2015. Meanwhile, students on Monday protested against the continued fuel scarcity in the country. According to them, the situation has resulted in the lack of electricity and water in the institution. The students, who initially converged on the central administrative area of the institution, later barricaded the roads on campus with bucket, toothbrushes other items. They also called on the authorities to seek an urgent solution to the problem. Some of the students told our correspondent that the situation had led to partial breakdown of their hostels’ sanitary facilities and inability to read at night. They also alleged that some of their lecturers who travelled could not return to campus because of the fuel crisis. “I live at Apete behind the school. It is quite a distance when you walk it and considering the vast premises of the school and the fact that campus cabs are not running this morning. I thought I was late for the morning class but when I got to the school gate, I was told that there was a protest. It is a welcome idea and we hope it will redress the situation,” said a Guidance and Counselling student, who simply identified herself as Adekemi. Secretary of the Academic Staff Union of University, UI chapter, Dr Deji Omole, said it was a shame that fuel marketers were using the fuel subsidy issue to ground the nation’s economy.
Punch