The students of Kaduna State University (KASU) Kafanchan campus have threatened to boycott their second semester examinations if power supply is not restored after a protracted blackout.
This was contained in a statement by the Vice President 1 of Kaduna State Students’ Union (KADSSU), Comrade Eli Josiah Sajo, to management of the institution in Kafanchan at the commencement of a two-day peaceful protest against the power outage and other issues.
Sajo, who spoke on behalf of the joint leadership of various students’ unions, lamented that lack of electricity supply, which has persisted for over 5 months, has hampered their lectures and preparations for the forthcoming examinations.
He lamented that for close to one session, students have endured the challenges of being in total darkness and noted that despite several letters of protest the unions have written and promises made, power has still not been restored.
However, the union leader, who acknowledged the efforts of the school management in providing alternative sources of power supply, noted that it is unsustainable and demanded the immediate restoration of power supply before October 25 or face a boycott.
Sajo besides negatively affecting their studies, the students have had their property and other valuables either stolen or vandalised by hoodlums and pose a threat to their safety.
In a remark, the Provost of Kafanchan campus of KASU, Professor Ibrahim Sodangi, noted the students’ concerns, and assured that management was doing everything within its powers to ensure that they are promptly addressed.
Sodangi noted that a compendium of the institution’s needs have been tabled before the Vice Chancellor, Professor Abdullahi Musa, who he said has the willpower to address and added that paucity of funds have affected ongoing projects.
He lauded the students for their peaceful conduct during the protest and urged them to give more room for dialogue so that their grievances will be adequately tackled for the good of all.
Blueprint reports that the students, who turned out in their numbers, bore placards with various inscriptions, such as ‘Bring Back Light to KASU’; ‘No Light, No Exams’; ‘Light Up Kafanchan Campus’, and ‘Restore Our Light’, among others.
