Students of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) staged a protest at the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) office in Ado-Ekiti on Monday, demanding urgent repairs to the Oye-Ikole Federal Road, following the tragic death of a final-year student attributed to the road's poor condition.
The Oye-Ikole road, a key route connecting Abuja to several southwestern states, including Ekiti, Oyo, Osun, Ondo, and Lagos, has long been a hotspot for accidents, particularly with large vehicles like petroleum tankers and cement trucks frequently using the road.
Carrying placards with messages like “Save the future of our country,” “Dave Umahi save FUOYE students,” and “President Tinubu save FUOYE students’ lives,” the students stormed the FERMA office in Ado-Ekiti, chanting songs and demanding action.
Led by FUOYE Students' Union President, Lady Comrade Abiodun Mary, the protesters expressed outrage over FERMA’s alleged negligence in addressing the hazardous state of the road. Mary highlighted the tragic death of alumnus Ohonsi Williams Ehigie as a direct result of the road’s unsafe condition.
She said, "This road has become a daily death trap for students, staff, and the people of Oye-Ekiti. FERMA’s failure to act has led to unnecessary fatalities, and as a union, we will not tolerate this anymore."
The students issued a 48-hour ultimatum for FERMA and the Federal Government to begin immediate repairs, calling for the filling of potholes and long-term road safety measures.
In response, FERMA’s Simeon Adeniyi expressed condolences and assured the students that the road’s reconstruction had already been approved by the Federal Executive Council. He added that contractors would soon mobilize to begin work on a durable concrete road, with palliative measures set to commence shortly.
