The National Association of Nigerian Students, South-West Zone D, on Wednesday held a peaceful protest in Osogbo, Osun State, over poor power supply affecting campuses across the region .
The protesters, who decried inadequate electricity on campuses of tertiary institutions in the region, demanded immediate action to address their complaints .
Armed with placards bearing inscriptions such as “No electricity increment tariff,” “Increase power output,” and “Restore our electricity infrastructure,” the students converged on the November 27 Bridge in Osogbo to voice their grievances .
Speaking during an interview with journalists, NANS South West Coordinator, Josiah Adeyemo, said the association was displeased with the inadequate electricity supply to campuses across the region .
“I am here with all the sister bodies of our association to register our displeasure in the current electricity crisis that has ravaged our nation and affected academic activities in our campuses and society,” Adeyemo said .
“Our message to the government is that we realise and appreciate all they’ve been doing to ensure stability in the country. However, we must not forget that the true essence of stability lies in a society that can fully enjoy the maximum benefits of basic amenities provided by the government, and electricity is one of those essential amenities that we cannot overlook,” he added .
“This constant failure of electricity which in recent times has significantly dropped has brought about series of aggravations within our campuses and student community and we must let the government know that this is a priority for them,” Adeyemo stated .
He called for urgent measures to address their complaints about the epileptic power supply across the region, warning that “this is just a preamble.”
“Let it be known that if there is no proper engagement from relevant authorities concerning this power issue, we will be forced to make another mass protest in a few days. We will not back down until our voices are heard,” he said .
Commenting on the state of security across the country, Adeyemo said the recent bomb explosions in Maiduguri, Borno State that claimed many lives and destroyed properties has made it necessary to deploy a better approach to tackling the challenge of insecurity in the country .
