. Protesters Declare Saturday, Sunday Rest Days
The ongoing nationwide strike in Nigeria entered its fifth day on Friday as all activities remained at a standstill all across the country.
Protests continued in most parts of the country. In Lagos, protests continued at Falomo, Lekki and Ojota. At Ojota, activists continued to awaken the consciousness of Nigerians who thronged the place in their thousands.
While speaking about the refusal of the Federal Government to revert to N65 per litre, Professor Utomi noted that “if the House of Representatives which represent the people say go back to the old price, and you say no, it means this democracy is not working”/
Femi Falana and Pastor Tunde Bakare too spoke at the Ojota rally and they made it known that the government’s proposition of a reduction in price should be seen as a sign of progress. They however made it known that Nigerians will not accept anything other than N 65 per litre. Pastor Bakare also disclosed that even if Labour leaders chose to accept anything other than that, protests will continue.
The rally was rounded off around noon with a rendition of the national anthem. That was done in order to allow Muslims observe the Friday prayers. It was also announced that Saturday and Sunday would be taken as rest days. It was announced that the rally will resume on Monday if the Federal Government’s talks with the leaders of the organised labour unions fails to yield the desired result.
In Ibadan, the Nigeria Union of Journalists organised a protest march. The procession took off from the Press Centre and moved to Mapo where a number of artistes like Sikiru Ayinde Majester, Rashidi Ayinde Merenge and a host of other artistes took to the bandstand. The gathering was addressed by veteran journalists like Felix Adenaike, Alhaji Bolaji Kareem, a former Commissioner for Works in Oyo State and Bisi Adebunmi. The GOC of the 2 Division of the Nigerian Army who was on patrol with his men also took time to address the protesters. He commended them for comporting themselves in an orderly manner.
In Dublin, Ireland, Nigerian protesters were at the Nigerian High Commission there to protest the removal of the fuel subsidy. They carried placards with different inscriptions.
Meanwhile, the Occupy Nigeria issue moved online as the website of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission was attacked by hackers. The hackers posted a news item there that some of those mentioned as beneficiaries of the oil subsidy had been detained by the Commission. The main flaw of the report was that it was attributed to Femi Babafemi. Meanwhile, Babafemi resigned as the commission’s spokesman weeks ago. The website was eventually brought down hours later.
