Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Protesters shut down Nigeria

http://tribune.com.ng/index.php/front-page-news/34108-protesters-shut-down-nigeria-

Tribune
10 January 2012


NIGERIA was, on Monday, shut down completely by anti- subsidy removal protests which took place across the federation. Protesters, who stormed major streets of the states, came out as early as 6.00 a.m. to kick against the subsidy removal they claimed had brought untold hardship to Nigerians.

Reports gathered from every part of the country, however, revealed that the protest was characterised by peace and orderliness in some parts while violence and killings were recorded in some other parts.

The Lokoja-Jamata Bridge and Abuja roads were shut down by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC), while several people were reportedly killed and wounded in Lagos, Kano, Edo and other states of the federation.

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The convener of Save Nigeria Group and Pastor of the Latter Rain Assembly, Tunde Bakare said that the protest was one of the steps that must be taken by the masses to rewrite their destiny.

He said: “The time has come for Nigerians to take their destiny into their with hands. President Goodluck Jonathan has failed us. This government has not done anything good to improve the lives of the masses but has only come out to add to our pain. Enough is enough.”

According to Bakare, the fuel subsidy removal cannot solve the problems of this country unless the government is able to solve the problem of corruption, which has since crippled the economy.

Corroborating him, Human Rights lawyer, Mr Femi Falana, said that the protest would spur Nigerians  into the freedom that had since eluded the people.

He said: “This protest is solidarity for freedom and justice and as we continue everyday, I believe, we shall win this battle. I will like to reiterate my commitment to expose the cartel that has been eating the resources of the country.”

He called on the government to name the members of the cartel instead of removing the fuel subsidy, which is now a burden on the masses.

“Why is it difficult for the government to expose this group of minority Nigerians who have hijacked our economy? This protest is the beginning of our struggle to liberate ourselves from this people,” he said.

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