Protests spearheaded by the Nigeria Labour Congress and allied civil society groups are underway in Osun State. The demonstrators gathered on Tuesday, commencing the protest at Freedom Park in Osogbo, the state capital.
On February 8, both the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress jointly issued a 14-day nationwide strike notice to the Federal Government. The warning protest by the NLC was triggered by the government’s failure to implement agreements reached on October 2, following the removal of the fuel subsidy.
The protest in Osun State comes in response to the Federal Government’s inability to fulfill its promises after the expiration of the ultimatum. Organized labor initiated mobilization efforts last Monday in Osun State, preparing for nationwide protests addressing the high cost of living in the country.
On Tuesday, Joe Ajaero, the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, submitted the congress’ letter of demands to the National Assembly.
The demands included “full implementation of the welfare provisions, employment generation, immediate subsidy to farmers, immediate subsidy to farmers to boost agricultural production, and fixing the four refineries among others.”
Ajaero handed over the letter to the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Labour, Employment, and Productivity, Senator Diket Plang on Tuesday.
Ajaero in his remarks at the National Assembly, said Nigerians embarked on the peaceful protests because there was hunger in the land, adding that “Nigeria is becoming like Zimbabwe.”
