COOU Students Decry Years of Blackout, Security Threats Amid Soludo’s Unfulfilled Promise

 

Students of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), Uli, Anambra State, have expressed their frustration over the prolonged lack of electricity in the institution. Despite assurances from Governor Chukwuma Soludo during his visit a month ago, the university remains in total darkness, exacerbating security concerns and worsening their living conditions.

For years, COOU students have endured persistent power outages, forcing them to rely on alternative means such as generators, candles, and rechargeable lamps to carry out academic activities. However, beyond the inconvenience, the absence of electricity has raised serious security concerns, as criminals exploit the darkness to perpetrate attacks, leaving students in constant fear.

During a recent interaction with journalists, some students shared their ordeal. One of them, identified simply as Joseph, recounted the distressing experience of living in an environment where nightfall brings anxiety instead of relief.

“Whenever night approaches, our happiness turns into sadness because we know what awaits us – total darkness. The fear of the unknown grips us. There have been increasing cases of attacks by unknown gunmen, and with no power supply, it is easy for criminals to operate without being detected. We feel unsafe every night.”

Joseph further criticized the failure of the state government to act swiftly in addressing the power challenge despite Governor Soludo’s promise.

“The governor visited us about a month ago and pledged to restore electricity. We were hopeful that his words would translate into action, but nothing has changed. If he truly wants to help us, fixing this issue should not take more than a month. The cost is not beyond what the state government can handle. We feel abandoned.”

A Campus in Perpetual Darkness

The power outage at COOU is not a recent problem. For years, students and staff have struggled with the absence of electricity, affecting their studies, research, and overall campus life. Laboratories, lecture halls, and hostels are left in darkness, making it difficult for students to study at night.

The lack of electricity also disrupts the use of essential facilities such as fans and air conditioners, making the learning environment unbearable, especially during hot weather. Students who cannot afford alternative power sources find it extremely difficult to cope.

A final-year student in the Faculty of Engineering, who preferred to remain anonymous, lamented the impact of the situation on academic performance.

“We are students, yet we don’t have the basic amenities required for proper learning. How can we conduct research or prepare adequately for exams when there’s no light? We are supposed to be in an environment that fosters learning, not one that pushes us into frustration and despair.”

Rising Insecurity in the Shadows

Beyond the academic and social disruptions, the lack of electricity has worsened security challenges on campus. Students have repeatedly reported attacks by unknown gunmen and hoodlums who take advantage of the darkness to target unsuspecting victims.

“Every evening, many of us prefer to leave the hostels and stay with friends off-campus where there is light because we don’t feel safe. Criminals know that the university is in total darkness, so they strike easily. Many students have been robbed, and some have sustained injuries from these attacks,” a 200-level student narrated.

The situation has forced many students to reconsider staying in the hostels, while those who can afford it opt for accommodations in areas with a more reliable power supply.

Soludo’s Promise: A Hope Deferred

Governor Chukwuma Soludo, during his visit to COOU last month, assured students that power supply would be restored. The announcement was met with cheers, as students believed that a long-standing issue was finally going to be resolved. However, a month later, there has been no visible progress.

While some argue that bureaucratic processes may be delaying the implementation, students insist that the restoration of power should not take this long, given the urgency of the situation. They are now calling on the governor to fulfill his promise and take immediate action.

“We are not asking for too much. We just want electricity, a basic amenity that every university should have. The governor should act now before things get worse,” a student leader urged.

A Call for Action

The continued blackout at COOU highlights a broader issue of infrastructure neglect in some Nigerian universities. Students, who are supposed to be the future leaders of the nation, are left to struggle in poor conditions, battling both academic and security challenges.

As the students wait for Governor Soludo to make good on his promise, they remain hopeful that their voices will be heard. The restoration of electricity is not just about comfort; it is about security, education, and their overall well-being.

Will the government finally respond, or will COOU remain in perpetual darkness? The coming weeks and months will tell.