On Friday, students at the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) took to the streets to protest the sudden and heartbreaking death of Ayomide Akeredolu, a highly regarded 500-level student.
In their grief, the students blocked the busy Akure-Ilesa highway, causing significant disruptions to traffic flow and resulting in a prolonged traffic jam that lasted for hours.
Akeredolu sadly collapsed in his hostel at Akindeko Hall just days before his final exams. He was promptly rushed to the University Health Centre, where medical personnel confirmed his passing. The news of Akeredolu’s unexpected demise sent shockwaves throughout the university campus, prompting students to unite in protest.
An eyewitness recounted the events to 9JA NEWS: “We brought the student to the health centre around 8:30 pm. However, upon arrival, there was a power outage. Despite the efforts of the medical staff, who administered CPR, oxygen, and injections, the electricity remained off throughout the treatment process.”
Addressing the situation, Adegbenro Adebanjo, the university’s Director of Corporate Communication, released a statement saying: “The protest that took place on Friday, August 25, 2023, was in response to certain grievances regarding services provided by the University Health Centre. It is important to note that the protest was not directly linked to the student’s death.
“During a meeting called by the Vice Chancellor, representatives of the students highlighted some shortcomings in the process of accessing services at the health centre. Measures will be regularly reviewed to ensure strict implementation and meet the students’ satisfaction.”