Ondo Health College Boils Over Poor Facilities, Alleged Illegal Levies

 

Students of the Ondo State College of Health Technology on Monday staged a protest over what they described as deplorable learning conditions and persistent extortion by the institution’s management.

The angry students barricaded the main entrance of the college, demanding urgent provision of basic amenities to make learning conducive.

Brandishing placards with inscriptions such as “We Are Tired of This Wickedness,” “Stop Extortion Now,” and “No Solution, No Exams,” the protesters lit bonfires and sang solidarity songs, threatening to ground academic activities until their grievances are addressed.

One of the protesters, Adeola Ibiroke, lamented that the institution lacked potable water, good road network and stable electricity supply.

According to her, students are being subjected to hardship despite the harsh economic situation in the country.

“As I speak with you, there are no basic amenities in this college. There is no water or steady electricity. The classrooms are dilapidated; there are no functional laboratories or hostels, yet the management keeps demanding money from us without considering our struggling parents,” she said.

Ibiroke further accused the authorities of imposing “unnecessary levies” and allegedly encouraging some lecturers to demand money for textbooks and assignments.

A staff member of the college, who spoke anonymously, expressed sympathy for the students, noting that their demands were legitimate.

“What the students are asking for is reasonable and aimed at improving campus life. The management ought to have listened to them earlier,” the source said.

He added that the state government could not be exonerated, stressing that it controls about 80 per cent of the policies guiding the institution.

“The government must intervene quickly. I believe dialogue will eventually resolve the matter,” he stated.

Reacting to the allegations, the Rector of the college, Emoruwa Oluwanbe, denied claims of extortion and neglect.

He disclosed that the Ondo State Government had summoned a meeting on the crisis and assured that management would issue a comprehensive response soon.

However, the students insisted that the protest would continue until concrete steps are taken to address their demands