UPDATED:  Osun NLC joins Nationwide protest over economic hardship

By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo

Members of the Osun State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Tuesday took to the streets of Osogbo, the State capital to protest over the current economic hardships in the country.

The protesters, who converged at the Nelson Mandela Freedom Park, in Osogbo early in the morning marched through Old Garage, MDS, and later terminated the possession at the popular Olaiya under the bridge, chanting anti-government songs and waving placards, calling on the Federal Government to end the suffering of Nigerians.

They also called for the reversal of the fuel pump price to pre-29 May, 2023 prices as well as stop and reverse the free fall of the naira with immediate effect, noting that the free market floating of the naira has benefitted only the rich, while making good and services more expensive for the poor.

Speaking with journalists during the protest, the NLC Chairman in the State, Mr Christopher Arapasopo, said there is a need for the Federal Government to come to the aid of Nigerians as a lot of people are dying from hunger.

Arapasopo said during the election campaign, the President promised a better life and a better Nigeria, but the masses are not experiencing it.

He said, “Nigerians are dying, Nigerians are suffering. We can’t afford to buy a carton of Indomie noodles in the market. Inflation is affecting virtually everything in the market. Government should come to our aid and also honour the agreement signed with organised labour.”

Also speaking, the President, National Union of Local Government Employee (NULGE),Mr Kehinde Ogungangbe, also pleaded with the President to come to the aid of Nigerians stressing that hardship is terrible in the country.

Security operatives were on the ground to prevent possible hijack by hoodlums. Vehicular movement was also restricted during the period the protest was ongoing.

Members of NLC Osun, Amalgamated Union of  Public Corporation, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE), Nigeria Union Teachers, (NUT), and Human Right activists among others participated in the protest.

It would be recalled that the NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), had, on February 8, issued a 14-day nationwide strike notice to the Federal Government over the failure to implement the agreements reached on October 2, following the removal of the fuel subsidy.

The Federal Government’s delay in fulfilling agreement after the ultimatum led to the protest by the NLC while the TUC opted out of the protest.