Economic hardship: Protesters give Makinde letter to deliver to President Tinubu

…as Makinde joins protests, empathise with Nigerians

By Bushrah Adeshina, Ibadan

Protesters in Ibadan, Oyo State on Monday conveyed a letter highlighting the demands of the organized labour to Governor Seyi Makinde to deliber to President Tinubu.

The protest which kicked off from the NLC Secretariat in Agodi saw workers from the state joining forces with fellow demonstrators across the nation in addressing pressing national issues.

The Oyo State Governor took a stand alongside thousands of workers in Ibadan on Tuesday as they protested against hardships and deteriorating economic conditions in the country.

In his address to the protesters, Governor Makinde highlighted the alarming levels of hardship and poverty that have gripped many, leaving them unable to afford basic necessities or secure employment.

He emphasized the urgent need for collaborative efforts in finding solutions to the challenges exacerbated by the removal of fuel subsidies and the escalating exchange rates.

He stressed the necessity of implementing policies which fosters economic growth and facilitates job creation.

The governor also warned against generalisation that states had been doing nothing to ease the hardship, stating that Oyo State Government had been paying wage awards to workers and pensioners in the state since October 2023.

He added that the state government only recently extended the payment of the wage award by another six months to allow for the conclusion of discussions on a new minimum wage.

He said: “My message to the protesters and people of Oyo State is to simply let them know that this is a trying period for our country. It is not the time for divisive activities. We have to pull together and confront the challenges that we are faced with.”

“Usually, when you are going through a period where you are trying to reform a system, there will be challenges. We saw it in 1989 during the Structural Adjustment Programme. We had riots but, at the end of the day, we still all came together to solve our problem.”

“I told the NLC president that this is not the time for lies and propaganda. No one can say that no state is paying wage awards, as we have been paying it to our workers and pensioners since October 2023.”

“Even, I have extended it by another six months to give us the opportunity to sit down and negotiate the minimum wage and the adjustment that will come with it.”

Assuring the protesters that he would deliver their message to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Makinde appealed for calmness from the protesters, saying: “So, I have appealed to them though I know that this protest is their right. I will pass the letter they gave to me to the President.

“I know there is hunger and anger in the land, but the solution is still for us to pull together.”