Business activities were temporarily disrupted on Tuesday in Osogbo, Osun State, as the Nigeria Labour Congress and its affiliates held a peaceful protest against the current economic challenges in the country.
Starting their march from Freedom Park, Osogbo, the protesters led by the Osun NLC chairman, Christopher Arapasopo, moved through MDS road chanting anti-President Bola Tinubu songs.
Among the affiliates of NLC that joined the protest were; the Academic Staff Union of Universities, Radio, Television, Theatre and Arts Workers Union of Nigeria, and Nigeria Union of Journalists, among others.
As the protesters advanced towards Olaiya Junction and gathered there, vehicular movement on Osogbo/Gbongan road came to a stop.
Also, business activities around the area were paralysed for more than two hours as the protesters converged under Olaiya Bridge.
At the protest scene, police operatives, Department of State Security personnel, and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps members were all present in large numbers.
However, in other areas of the state capital, business operations remained unaffected before and during the protest.
Dr. Adeola Egbedokun, the ASUU Coordinator for Akure Zone, addressed the protesters and expressed dismay over the difficulties faced by Nigerians, urging the Federal Government to reverse its policies that have adversely affected the people.
Egbedokun mentioned that due to a lack of deep understanding of the negative effects of federal government policies, many people felt unconcerned and refused to join the protest.
He urged the workers to raise awareness among other members of the public about the importance of joining protests against the increasing cost of living.
In his remarks, Osun NLC chairman, Arapasopo, called on the Federal Government to find immediate solutions to the economic hardship facing Nigerians.
He mentioned that what Tinubu promised during his electioneering campaign would be a relief for Nigerians, but the reality now is the opposite.
“He must immediately come up with solutions. People are hungry and they are angry. We don’t want the situation to go out of hand. There is a need for measures that will immediately address the situation.”
