By Ismail Azeez, Osogbo
Members of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Osun State chapter have joined the ongoing nationwide protest initiated by the national body of the labour union over the current economic situation in Nigeria.
The protesters consisting of members of the NLC, Amalgamated Union of Public Corporation, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE), Nigeria Union of Teachers, (NUT), and Human Right activists among others stormed the streets of Osogbo, Osun state capital to protest against the high cost of living in the country.
The protesting residents of the state of living spring who had earlier converged at the popular Nelson Mandela Freedom Park marched through Old Garage, Orisunbare, MDS and later terminated the possession at Olaiya under bridge, Osogbo.
Armed with placards with different descriptions, such as “Stop Robbing the Poor Now”, “Reverse all IMF policies”, “Nigerians are Suffering We Can’t Cope Again”, among others.
Addressing the mammoth crowd of protesters, Chairman of the Osun Labour Congress, Comrade Christopher Arapasopo charged the Federal Government to address the high cost of living, saying Nigerian citizens cannot avoid to buy goods in the market.
Arapasopo called on President Bola Tinubu to address inflation that he said has affected citizens negatively.
He said, “The Federal Government should do the needful we are all Nigerians, people are suffering, people are dying
“We are here on a peaceful protest against the high cost of living and its a 2-day protest and if the Federal Government fail to listen to Nigerians to honour the agreement they will know what next.
“Federal Government should address high cost of living, even if there food in the market people don’t have money to go and buy it, even if there is food in the market masses are affected with inflation.
Also speaking, the state coordinator of the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporation, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE), Comrade Akin Asifat, said the present economic is unbearable for the masses that need quick action of the government in the country.
Asifat stated that the union is looking forward to the positive reaction from the government to change those policies that have negative in impact of the people.
He also called on the government to ban some universities demanding for dollars in the payment of school fees to strength Nigeria currency .
He said Nigeria government have to start producing locally to strengthen our economic.