[size=14pt]Strike: Count us out –South-east traders[/size]
From IJEOMA ONUORAH, Nnewi, GEOFFERY ANYANWU, Awka
Monday, January 09, 2012

Chairman of the South-east Governor’s Forum, Mr. Peter Obi and the South-east Amalgamated Traders Association (SEAMATA) have dissociated themselves from today’s nationwide strike, being embarked by organized Labour .

The market leaders, who visited Mr. Peter Obi in Awka yesterday, said the entire South-east would not participate in the planned strike, and equally expressed support to President Goodluck Jonathan on the removal of fuel subsidy.

Governor Obi said the support for the removal of oil subsidy was predicated on the fact that funds saved from the exercise would be used to improve the economy of the country, especially in the areas of infrastructure, power, education and job creation He urged the Federal Government to ensure that the funds were strictly applied in the specified areas.

While commending the Federal Government for efforts made so far, he called for more decisive measures to ensure security of lives and property in various parts of the country, especially the troubled parts. In an eight-point communiqué issued after their meeting at the governor’s lodge and signed by the President, Chief Okwudili Ezenwankwo and Secretary, Mr. Temple Udeh, the traders said the decision taken by the government was in the overall interest of the country.

The traders further stated that the monumental corruption that has characterized the petroleum industry over the years as a result of the distortions created by the subsidy had only enriched individuals. The communiqué read in part: “We note that there will be initial hardship that will be experienced by the people of Nigeria, but we accept that this will be compensated for by the palliative measures planned by the government to cushion the effects. Our support is premised on the promise that the savings from the subsidy will be channelled to massive infrastructural development and job creation.

“We therefore urge Mr. President that the promises made to the Nigerian people are kept in addition to reducing the cost of governance, as a demonstration of his commitment to the sacrifices made. Based on the foregoing, SEAMATA and traders of the South-east origin, wish to disassociate ourselves from the planned nationwide strike, as we believed that the strike will not be in the best interest of the common man,” it said.

The traders, however, called on the organized labour, civil society organizations and other stakeholders to give government a chance and go into negotiations for lasting solutions, urging them to begin talks with Justice Alfa Belgore-led negotiation team.

http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2012/jan/09/national-09-01-2012-018.html

Nice move. The rest of the country should do the same. I agree the hardship will only be temporary as people try to
adjust to the new prices.

Good for ignoring those gra gra NLC officials. them don chop belleful, them still want suffer people join.

As we dey yell aluta, business must continue jor  

lmao

What else is new with these do anything for money people ?

We know they can not sacrifice 1 kobo for their own future and a better Nigeria.

Money comes before country and people.

Yes we should be striking against Boko Haram not against fuel subsidy
In fact any sane Nigerian should be asking for 100% resource control. Each state has one or more resources to control.

We should in fact ''kill'' Fasola and Tinubu for all the rip-offs in Lagos before we get 1000 miles close to GEJ. I want Eko Ile to go chop shyyte.

The Igbos already striking and protesting in the SW and the North are enough contribution to the strikes. Igboland will not be involved.

Wise people!!

[color=#770077][/color]I SEE NO REASON WHY ANY SENSIBLE NIGERIAN WILL NOT EMBARK ON STRIKE TODAY. ITS A PITY, SOUTHEAST TRADERS.

Beaf:

[size=14pt]Strike: Count us out –South-east traders[/size]
From IJEOMA ONUORAH, Nnewi, GEOFFERY ANYANWU, Awka
Monday, January 09, 2012

Chairman of the South-east Governor’s Forum, Mr. Peter Obi and the South-east Amalgamated Traders Association (SEAMATA) have dissociated themselves from today’s nationwide strike, being embarked by organized Labour .

The market leaders, who visited Mr. Peter Obi in Awka yesterday, said the entire South-east would not participate in the planned strike, and equally expressed support to President Goodluck Jonathan on the removal of fuel subsidy.

Governor Obi said the support for the removal of oil subsidy was predicated on the fact that funds saved from the exercise would be used to improve the economy of the country, especially in the areas of infrastructure, power, education and job creation He urged the Federal Government to ensure that the funds were strictly applied in the specified areas.

While commending the Federal Government for efforts made so far, he called for more decisive measures to ensure security of lives and property in various parts of the country, especially the troubled parts. In an eight-point communiqué issued after their meeting at the governor’s lodge and signed by the President, Chief Okwudili Ezenwankwo and Secretary, Mr. Temple Udeh, the traders said the decision taken by the government was in the overall interest of the country.

The traders further stated that the monumental corruption that has characterized the petroleum industry over the years as a result of the distortions created by the subsidy had only enriched individuals. The communiqué read in part: “We note that there will be initial hardship that will be experienced by the people of Nigeria, but we accept that this will be compensated for by the palliative measures planned by the government to cushion the effects. Our support is premised on the promise that the savings from the subsidy will be channelled to massive infrastructural development and job creation.

“We therefore urge Mr. President that the promises made to the Nigerian people are kept in addition to reducing the cost of governance, as a demonstration of his commitment to the sacrifices made. Based on the foregoing, SEAMATA and traders of the South-east origin, wish to disassociate ourselves from the planned nationwide strike, as we believed that the strike will not be in the best interest of the common man,” it said.

The traders, however, called on the organized labour, civil society organizations and other stakeholders to give government a chance and go into negotiations for lasting solutions, urging them to begin talks with Justice Alfa Belgore-led negotiation team.

http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2012/jan/09/national-09-01-2012-018.html

Beaf, the Desperado !!!!

Nchara:

Yes we should be striking against Boko Haram not against fuel subsidy
In fact any sane Nigerian should be asking for 100% resource control. Each state has one or more resources to control.

We should in fact ''kill'' Fasola and Tinubu for all the rip-offs in Lagos before we get 1000 miles close to GEJ. I want Eko Ile to go chop shyyte.

Igbo man love development o!
But, If Nigeria doesn't break up, then the next step is for resource control.
Too many lazy folks always waiting for govt hand out!
For some people, Fuel is important than boko haram!

another rented crowd who are plain silly.

Na wa oooo !!!!!

otokx:

another rented crowd who are plain silly.

Rented by whom? So many uninformed mo/ro/ns on cyberspace.

Nchara:

Rented by whom? So many uninformed mo/ro/ns on cyberspace.

Nope he is not a Mor.on

every right thinking Nigeria what to believe they are rented because if not then the only other reason for their action is based on zonal and TRIBAL SENTIMENT and no other. Already people are asking why the SE did not protest because of such reasons.

So please allow people to believe they are have sold out for money rather than tribalism.

what the people of nigeria are saying but the protest is that they dont trust the federal govt. the federal govt have spent over $50 billion dollar in 2 years and have nothing serious to show for it. That how can they trust people who use up over $50 billion dollar in 2 years with nothing to show for 1 billion dollar. This is the problem.

If you spent $50 billion just in federal allocation only, where did the money go to. It is very hard to go meet the same nigerian and ask them money. because you have destroy that trust relationship because the people of nigeria and the govt. do you see the people point.

alj harem:

Nope he is not a Mor.on

every right thinking Nigeria what to believe they are rented because if not then the only other reason for their action is based on zonal and TRIBAL SENTIMENT and no other. Already people are asking why the SE did not protest because of such reasons.

So please allow people to believe they are have sold out for money rather than tribalism.

Duh!!!!! it is based on zonal  (not tribal since Jonathan is not Igbo) sentiment, if you say so. BTW, is Jonathan from the SE?

On that basis, we also know that those SW and northern protesters are rented by ACN and Buhari.

So who rented the Igbos in the SW and northern protests?

You are a confused malu.

look this building cost N1 billion naira,  50 billion dollar.   is equal to N 7800 billion.

what it means is that the federal govt would have built 7800 of building like this in nigeria,  in 2 years. Even this building they are probing it for excess money,   

So  there is something wrong with the system and not really more money,

you have duplication of function between federal and state, federal has hospital and state. all this should be given to state, including universities, airport etc,


[img]http://nationalmirroronline.net/thumbnail.php?file=/New_OPIC_Shopping_Complex_and_existing_plaza_at_Oke_Ilewo__Abeokuta__Ogun_State_546155519.jpg&size=article_large[/img]

Nchara:

Duh!!!!! it is based on zonal  (not tribal since Jonathan is not Igbo) sentiment, if you say so. BTW, is Jonathan from the SE?

On that basis, we also know that those SW and northern protesters are rented by ACN and Buhari.

So who rented the Igbos in the SW and northern protests?

You are a confused malu.

to you Jonathan is not Igbo. Yes

To others he is. Yes

Now there are Igbos protesting in the NW, SW, NE, NC, EDO, DELTA but when push comes to shovel people would say otherwise (ie igbos did not protest)

Yes I know there are some good intentional Igbos doing what is right for the country but with Peter Obi tribalising the issue. I mean

First No protest on "occupy Nigeria"

People thought you people did jsut not want to protest because of some issues which I understand

Second no industrial action, Thus this tells me that SE are not only supporting the removal without accountability but also support it since he is Igbo.

This to me is what I see and I tell you it is a BIG SHAME that at this point of our Nation, Tribalism is still very much part of our politics even though it does not favour anyone.

A BIG SHAME . !!!

alj harem:


to you Jonathan is not Igbo. Yes

To others he is. Yes

Now there are Igbos protesting in the NW, SW, NE, NC, EDO, DELTA but when push comes to shovel people would say otherwise (ie igbos did not protest)

Yes I know there are some good intentional Igbos doing what is right for the country but with Peter Obi tribalising the issue. I mean

First No protest on "occupy Nigeria"

People thought you people did jsut not want to protest because of some issues which I understand

Second no industrial action, Thus this tells me that SE are not only supporting the removal without accountability but also support it since he is Igbo.

This to me is what I see and I tell you it is a BIG SHAME that at this point of our Nation, Tribalism is still very much part of our politics even though it does not favour anyone.

A BIG SHAME . !!!

Those people like you calling Jonathan Igbo are ignorant idiots. Are you an ignoramus?
Go and protest the killing of innocent people by islamic fundamentalists. That is the right thing to do.

You have a right to protest whareva and I have a right not to protest whareva. Why do you have a problem with that?

Nchara:

Those people like you calling Jonathan Igbo are ignorant idiots. Are you an ignorant ?
Go and protest the killing of innocent people by islamic fundamentalists. That is the right thing to do.

I have told you several time that we are currently protesting against Boko haram and the killing of people in the north along side other issues.

Already I have commended GEJ for trying to replace the current IG with his Kinsman since the current is not save guarding the lives of the people

https://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-841897.0.html

Also I expect the SE governors to protest against Boko haram and the killing of Igbo by them but rather they sit there.

SMDH

http://odili.net/news/source/2012/jan/8/613.html

Subsidy: Igbo leaders back Jonathan

Written by Okodili Ndidi, Onitsha
Sunday, January 8, 2012

FOLLOWING themass proteststrailing the removal of fuel subsidy by the government of President Goodluck Jonathan, some Igbo leaders have expressed their support for the action.



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Addressing journalists on Saturday at Oba, Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State, the former president- general of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Dr. Dozie Ikedife, said the major problem confronting the controversial removal of fuel subsidy was because the Federal Government failed to explain the action to the masses.

Dr. Ikedife maintained that despite the wide range of protests that greeted the Federal Government's action, many people did not understand the benefits that the action would bring to them and the nation's economy.

"We are deprived of the information and that has made us to lack comments as it regards the removal of fuel subsidy, because most of the people in the country do not understand what removal of fuel subsidy means."

According to the former leader of Ohaneze Ndigbo, the country had come to the point of retrogression, adding that Nigeria had relied on smaller countries for refining of its petroleum products.

"What we are witnessing in the country today was what we witnessed in the past when the British would come and tell us how much they wanted to buy our crude oil and we would say ok, they would also tell us how much we should sell our cocoa and we would say ok, and when they went back to Liverpool, they would refine it into beverages and other things and come back to tell us how much we must buy them."

Nchara:

Yes we should be striking against Boko Haram not against fuel subsidy
In fact any sane Nigerian should be asking for 100% resource control. Each state has one or more resources to control.

Yes. This FUel  stuff is just a joke. See many Nigerians all going berzerk because of fuel, yet all this year what have they been doing? WHat did they do when Yar Adua was gone for 40 days and 40 nights? What did folks in Abia state do when all the so-called leaders were re-rigged for another wasteful 4 years?

Nonsense

If the rest of the country cannot count on you to join the subsidy protest, how can they count on your support if they troop out to protest boko violence?

On this occassion, you should come to the streets and protest like everyone else. The exercise will build your resilience and fortitude to stay and not beat a retreat when protests for other issues soon come up. Stay abreast!

Negro_Ntns:

If the rest of the country cannot count on you to join the subsidy protest, how can they count on your support if they troop out to protest boko violence?

On this occassion, you should come to the streets and protest like everyone else. The exercise will build your resilience and fortitude to stay and not beat a retreat when protests for other issues soon come up. Stay abreast!

Protesting for fuel is pretty petty. Government can simply reverse the decision and guess what, Nigeria will still be messed up, we will still have the hawkers on 3rd Main bridge, still be offin and oning gen, etc.

So, taking to the streets should be for GEJ to step down, Theo Orji to step down, Ibori to be put on trial, IBB to be put on trial, Sharia law to be repealed, etc

Are these not Nigerians or is the removal of subsidies not also affecting their economic activities? Subsidies is bad news, and people are beginning to understand dat.

Negro_Ntns:

If the rest of the country cannot count on you to join the subsidy protest, how can they count on your support if they troop out to protest boko violence?  

On this occassion, you should come to the streets and protest like everyone else.  The exercise will build your resilience and fortitude to stay and not beat a retreat when protests for other issues soon come up.  Stay abreast!

Fuel subsidy and boko haram, which came for first?
So, Nigerian masses were cripple when boko haram were busy denotating bombs everywhere?

Bliss4Lyfe:

Are these not Nigerians or is the removal of subsidies not also affecting their economic activities? Subsidies is bad news, and people are beginning to understand dat.

Sub is brought back, then what?

Please think and have priorities

Bliss4Lyfe:

Are these not Nigerians or is the removal of subsidies not also affecting their economic activities? Subsidies is bad news, and people are beginning to understand dat.

Subsidy removal in not a bad news, rather it's a good one. Transport fares usually skyrocket after New Year and then goes down again; it has been this way since time immemorial.

People should start looking for ways to profit from the subsidy removal than going on useless strikes and demonstration while they've sat at home and did nothing while our leaders stole our money and even celebrated most of those thieves.

Mens dept,

Any movement of the populace against their govt is a major grievance and no one can predict the outcome.  Reversing the decision may not be enough to attenuate the energy on the street once it starts.  This is a political event.  Therefore if a strike result in a reversal, then those that participated to influence the decision will have a political gain that SE cannot share in.  This gain Im talking about is what in political chat is called "circle of influence", it has nothing to do with a substantial or material gain, but nonetheless goes a long way in securing a pivotal ground against which credits and favors can be drawn in future.

Negro_Ntns:

Mens dept,

Any movement of the populace against their govt is a major grievance and no one can predict the outcome.  Reversing the decision may not be enough to attenuate the energy on the street once it starts.  This is a political event.  Therefore if a strike result in a reversal, then those that participated to influence the decision will have a political gain that SE cannot share in.  This gain Im talking about is what in political chat is called "circle of influence", it has nothing to do with a substantial or material gain, but nonetheless goes a long way in securing a pivotal ground against which credits and favors can be drawn in future.  

Perhaps

Yet, the SE, which is another term for Igboland, is an oil-producing region, and has a substantial part of Rivers and Delta that is Igboic. So actually, they will stand to gain from any favorable outcome of this fuel issue.

Nevertheless, if the govt reverses its decision, how REALLy will that change anything, or lead to changes in serious areas? Frankly, it wont. Thats why school strikes, NLC strikes, and even Okada strikes are SO common, because govt reverses its decision, and then reverses it again as if playing UNO, and nothing is accomplished

Therefore, taking to the streets should be for something GRAVE-such as asking for the President to step down, or a recall of all the Sinisters in Abuja, or removing Sharia law from the country.

Hahaha. . .jonze luck Nigerians!

@ Mens dept, it's obvious many of us have no idea what our problems really are talk less of the solutions. We just follow whatever appeals to our senses like sheep without focus and we forget where we are coming from. For once, a policy that is capable of catapulting the Nation into economic boom is here and we just can't see it. Not everyone can recognize a good opportunity when it presents itself. We have allowed our past experiences blind us to the extent that we cannot even think of our own future. I can't imagine how Okonjo Iweala must be feeling right now. Really sad. If we blow this opportunity, it may take us another decade to learn our lessons.