It was Day 2 of the nationwide strike called by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Congress (TUC), with business and commercial activities across the country grounded as the no work order and protest across the country intensified. In Lagos, the Coalition of Civil Societies Groups and the organized Labour continued with its Occupy Nigeria protest at the Gani Fawehinmi Park in Ojota. The protest began on Monday with an impressive turn-out of protesters made up of human rights activists, members of the entertainment industry among others.
However, one music icon that was dominant at the rally. He was the Afro beat legend, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, who though not physically present, because he died several years ago, the lyrics of his very philosophical music became an inspiration for the protesters who thought it necessary to go back to the achieves to exhume the music of the legend to keep the protesters on their toes. Other musical stars who graced the occasion included reggae star Ras Kimono, Kwam 1, among others. Kwam 1 urged the government to provide an alternative means of transportation rather allowing Nigerians depend only on road transport.
Senior Pastor of the Latter Rain Assembly and running mate to presidential candidate of the Congress of Progressive Change (CPC), Pastor Tunde Bakare, noted that though the government is claiming to have removed the subsidy, those in government will still share the money among themselves and not allow the people see the dividend of the removal, urging the people to therefore resist the removal instead.
While urging the people not to be tired of protesting until the result is seen, Lagos lawyer and activist, Femi Falana, noted that because Nigeria belongs to everyone, all must also be allowed to enjoy its wealth.
Elder statesman and former presidential candidate and founder of the Nigeria Advance Party (NAP), Dr. Tunji Braithwaite, described the leaders the nation has had in the last few years as mosquitoes and rats who must be stopped.
Dr. Samuel Adedayo who represented the Medical commended the organisers, promising that his body will continue to support the protesters, even though they are not on strike.
Former Lagos State Commissioner for Local Government, Prince Rotimi Agunsoye, and Yinka Odumakin who appears as the chief convener of the rally, also spoke at the event.
On returning the protest ground on the second day, Odumakin urged the police and other security agencies to be on the side of the people, while also promising to make the telephone numbers of Senate President David Mark, Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo and former President Olusegun Obasanjo available to the people so that they can keep calling them and sending text messages so that they can help call Jonathan to order.
Odumakin’s wife, Joe Okei, who is also the President of Women Arise Initiative and the Campaign for Democracy (CD), urged the protesters not be weary as the battle is likely to be long drawn.
Falana noted that though the primary responsibility of government is the security and welfare of its people. He said the Nigerian government is trying to withdraw the only welfare package that the people has despite that there is no more security in the land.
Accusing the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) of trying to grind the economy of Nigeria to a halt so that the United States of America can steal its oil, Bakare urged the people to resist it.
Follow The Eagle Online Channel on WhatsApp
