Protest In Osun Over Economic Hardship, Commercialisation Of Education

Members of the Osun Civil Societies Coalition (OCSC) on Monday thronged the major streets of Osogbo, the state capital to protest against the current hardship occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidy by the federal government.

CityMirrorNews gathered that the protest started at the popular Ayetoro junction at 8am and terminated at under Olaiya bridge

The protest was led by the Chairman of the coalition, Comrade Waheed Lawal, attracted the attendance of all civil society groups and their affiliates in the state.

The protesting comrades said they would not stop the protest until their voices were heard.

Part of the demands of the protesters are urgent solutions to address the economic hardship, commercialisation of education, non-provison of palliatives, fuel subsidy removal, hike in electricity tarrif and growing insecurity.

Addressing the residents, Lawal said the protest is not about political party but about suffering of Innocent Nigerians who can hardly eat one square meal in a day .

He said every human being deserves decent living and dignity adding that Nigeria has been blessed by both human and natural resources but bad leadership has continued to be the major problem hindering development.

“Every human need food ,water clothing, shelters and sleep but rising cost of living is gradually taking away human dignity to the extent that average Nigerian cannot afford to eat twice in a day or fuel their cars any more .The cost of food is high ,the cost of public education is getting higher and job opportunities declining daily .

“The current economic hardship has pushed millions Nigerians to poverty ,the middle class have falling ,the rich is getting richer and the poor getting poorer. ”

Lawal condemned the economic reforms of the federal government saying the reforms are strangulating Nigerians and improvising the poor just as he called on the president Bola Tinubu to rescind some of the hardship economic policies for over all interest of the poor and ordinary innocent Nigerians .

Also speaking ,Comrade Ayo Ologun condemned the earlier proposed #8,000 palliatives targeted on 12million Nigerian describing it as insensitive to the plight of Nigerians .

His words “We reject in fatality the palliative of N8,000 ,fuel hike ,Electricity tariff hike ,commercialisation of Education, double taxes and other harsh economic reforms. The poor are not breathing ,people are suffocating .

“We are calling on Mr president to stop suffocating the poor Nigerians rather he should cut down the cost of governance and be Sincere in judiciously using the gains of subsidy removal to better the lives of the poor masses .

Comrade Emmanuel Olowu dispelled the rumour that hoodlums will hijack the protest coming on Wednesday, saying such will not happen as the suffering affects millions Nigerians who were yearning for good life .

He however called on the people of the state to come out in solidarity with Nigerian Labour Congress NLC on Wednesday to fight a just course.