The Coalition of Civil Societies in Osun State took to the streets of Osogbo, the state capital, on Thursday to protest against the prevailing economic challenges gripping the nation.
Despite the early morning rain, members of the coalition gathered at the renowned Nelson Mandela Freedom Park in Osogbo as early as 7:30 am. The peaceful protest route wound through Old-Garage, MDS, and culminated at Olaiya, where residents and participants were addressed.
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Chairman of the civil society coalition, Comrade Waheed Lawal, emphasized the purpose of the protest, stating it was aimed at bringing to the attention of President Bola Tinubu the profound grievances of Nigerians regarding the escalating economic hardships.
“This is merely a precursor to the larger protest planned for Monday. We are taking to the streets to impress upon those in power that Nigerians are suffering immensely from hunger,” Lawal articulated.
He further urged residents of the state to brace themselves for the forthcoming protest, emphasizing the necessity for authorities to address the dire economic situation plaguing the nation.
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Echoing Lawal’s sentiments, the Director of Ola-Oni Socio Research, Comrade Wale Adebisi, criticized the federal government, led by President Tinubu, for exacerbating the plight of Nigerians through the removal of subsidies and forex policies devoid of adequate palliative measures.
“The core objective of this protest is to awaken residents to the harsh reality of Nigeria‘s current predicament—a result of governmental economic mismanagement,” Adebisi remarked passionately.
He highlighted the escalating security concerns, particularly the unabated incidence of kidnapping and the distressing trend of ransom payments, despite assurances of safety.
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“Floating the naira while simultaneously removing subsidies without implementing tangible palliative measures is a gross oversight by the government. The absence of social intervention and empowerment programs only exacerbates poverty, hunger, and despair,” Adebisi lamented.
The civil society protest serves as a poignant reminder of the urgent need for comprehensive economic reforms and social interventions to alleviate the suffering endured by countless Nigerians amidst the prevailing hardships.
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