By Osagie Alonge
Today, January 9, 2011 the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) embarked on a nationwide strike in reaction to the Federal Government’s removal of fuel subsidy.
Nigerians however did not sit back at home; a protest march kicked off from the NLC quarters in Yaba, terminating at the Gani Fawehinmi Park in Ojota, Lagos. A huge number of celebs including musicians, Nollywood actors and others media personalities joined protesters for a rally that lasted almost the entire day.
Femi Kuti, Funmi Iyanda, Dele Momodu, Fela Durotoye, Tunde Bakare, Seun Kuti, KWAM 1, Tee A, 9ice, Ruggedman, and Nneka spoke out against the removal of fuel subsidy, as thousands thronged the park, chanting anti-government slogans and dancing to Fela songs from the loud speakers.
Others celeb protesters include Sound Sultan, Baba Dee, Terry Tha Rapman, Vector, Omo Baba, W4, Omoni Oboli, Femi Sowoolu, Normoreloss, eLDee, Muri Thunder, Yoruba movie actor Lala, Ras Kimono, Jahbless and many others.
‘I told you people back in 1999 not to vote for Obasanjo but you went and did. Look at what has happened now. Fela warned us all in the past. I was just 13-years-old then. We must rise above this oppression, from this backwardness. Nigerians rise‘, Femi Kuti urged the mammoth crowd.
‘It’s a beautiful thing to see Nigerians, irrespective of class come out to protest. We can see loads of artistes and celebs. For once, it’s not about personal interest, it’s about the collective interest of Nigeria’, Nomoreloss said.
Unlike the January 3 protest, a temporary stage with live music equipment was set up right in the Gani Fawehinmi Park. As labour leaders and other dignitaries spoke, some of the musicians including Femi Kuti and Ras Kimono took turns to speak and perform.
‘Nigerians are tired of corruption. Everybody has just about had enough. We have to express our views’, broadcaster Femi Sowoolu told NET.
The protest at several points became rowdy but remained under control. However one protester was shot at the Ogba area of Lagos allegedly by a member of the Nigerian Police Force. An official statement from the NPF is still yet to be made.
‘This is something historical. The last time I remembered something like this; it was in 1993 when Nigerians came together. This is the same thing happening now’, movie director Tunde Kelani said.
‘I mean, we are tired. It’s the same old story all the time. N1BM for kitchen expenses, what the hell is that? Boys are not smiling; Rich people, poor people, we are all suffering’, Terry Tha Rapman told NET.
Some of the protests which took place outside Lagos have however been reported as not peaceful: In Edo State, the State police commissioner David Omojola says that a mob attacked a Muslim neighbourhood in the south-western city of Benin, leaving people injured. A mosque was almost burnt down too.
‘The state of the nation at this moment is fragile‘, says Weird MC. ‘Government must use this moment to show that it is for the people‘.
‘I believe the outcome of this protest will put enough pressure on the executive to listen to the voice of the people. The idea of all this is to sepak loud enough, not just in words as you can see at the protest, actions speak louder than words’, Fela Durotoye told NET.
In Kano, the local police commissioner Ibrahim Idris says security officers there shot at a mob, resulting in a stampede that left seven wounded.
‘We are tired of just talking; we are on Twitter and Facebook and just talk a lot. We have to practice what we preach!’, says actress Omoni Oboli also.
According to union leaders, the strike is indefinite. Reps from Nigerian Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) have joined the NLC and TUC to execute the nationwide industrial action.
‘For the first time I have the impression, the masses are tired of the sold called ‘respect’ that we have had. People have been living in fear and I have the impression what happened in North of Africa has kind of had an influence on our mind set’, singer Nneka says.
‘I think between the last protest and now, Nigerians have realised this is the opportunity to claim their mandate and show their leaders that the people must be listened to’, Funmi Iyanda expressed.
Activities in most part of the country was grounded, with banks, airports, schools and offices closed, as workers obeyed the stay-at-home order from organised labour.
The strike enters day two tomorrow.
2 comments
I believe Jonathan will read this himself, because a word is enough for the wise.
We tired of what d so called leaders are doing to us,they made all sort of promise to us but when they get there it a different ball game