SAVE OUR SOUL!: Ogun Poly Students Protest Against Incessant Robbery, Hike In Accommodation Fee, Others

Students of Gateway ICT Polytechnic, Sapaade today take to the street to protest against the alarming rate of robbery, hike in accommodation fees, and ineffective student union on the school campus.

BEYOND AFRICA gathered that these issues have become a major concerns among the students' community as it's posing threat to their safety, welfare and academic progress.

The students, driven by a shared desire for change, marched through the streets, chanting slogans and holding up signs that demanded action. They firmly believe that every student deserves a safe and secure campus environment, free from the constant threat of theft and violence.

According to one of the students who spoke with BEYOND AFRICA under the condition of anonymity, said the students Union Government of the institution has not represent them well as their voice is not been heard.

The source said: "As a community of students, we are extremely concerned about the rate of robbery and other criminal activities in and around our campus.

"We believe that no student should be subjected to such dangerous and traumatizing situations, and we are tired of living in constant fear of being robbed.

"Hence, we call on the government and the security agencies to take urgent measures to address these issues and ensure the safety and security of students.*

"We are being killed in the cause of our study to become better of ourselves and to be a good ambassador of the country.

"Our females who are supposed to be heroes are being raped and infected with a metal health health problem which they might not recover till the end of Thier life and may even result to suicide due to stigmatization.

"What's more disheartening is that the students union government are doing nothing to curtail the effect and further robberies since the last 8 months of this insurgency. Indeed a National Catastrophe!

"Furthermore, we cannot ignore the financial burden placed on students due to the constant increase in accommodation fees.

Many students are struggling to pay for accommodation, and it is impacting their mental health, academic progress, and general well-being. We believe that this situation is unacceptable, and we call on the university authorities to address this matter urgently, to help alleviate the financial burden on students.

"Additionally, we have lost confidence in the effectiveness of the student union. The student union is supposed to be a strong voice for students, representing their interests and fighting for their welfare.

"Unfortunately, this is not the case, and students feel that the union is not doing enough to address their challenges.

"The protest also shed light on the dissatisfaction with the current student union government. Our voices are not being adequately represented, and their concerns are not being effectively addressed. We are calling for a more transparent, accountable, and proactive student union that will actively engage with the student body, listen to their concerns, and take decisive action to improve the overall student experience.

"As students, we find that our concerns are frequently ignored, and our voices are not being heard. We call on the Polytechnic management to engage with the student union to ensure that they are more proactive in dealing with student issues and promoting students' welfare.

We also urge the student union to be more transparent and accountable in their dealings, and to take a more active role in advocating for the interests of the student community.

Finally, we hope that the government, the Polytechnic authorities, the community stakeholders and the security agencies take the necessary steps to address our concerns and ensure the safety and well-being of Nigerian students across the country."