₦airaland Forum

[quote author=Sam_Ikenna]Well, thats great and I commend you for that. Also, I'll say that you dont need anyone to do the right thing 'cause doing right is what you should naturally do. Even as people commend you for good stuff you do, always remember that doing good is the only option you have whether people see it or not, like it or not, appreciate you or not.

I also want you to extend your goodness to the political arena. You dont have to pour fuel into a burning fire between two brothers. East and West are brothers and neighbours and thats how it is. We may not like it but God did it anyway so maybe should get used to it and stop this e-stupidity.[/quote]I know east and west are brothers and I am not trying to separate the two.

Imagine someone talking about interest !

What interest could that possibly be ?

Maybe making Adenuga, Otedola dantata etc as part of his economic team while we the masses suffer more is the interest.

[quote author=Sam_Ikenna]Its foolish of me to start debating this with you, not because you dont deserve a debate but it sure will derail this thread and everything I stand for. However, I'm kind of tempted to ask you what lesson did SW learn that is bitter. SE and SS people have been voting for SW for a long time and never said they were bitter nor learned a bitter lesson from it so why would SW feel bitter about the wonderful civic duty they did for their nation? You talk like SW starts and ends in your house. Brother, SW is big and diverse like all peoples so this your assertion that they learned a bitter lesson or that they feel insulted or whatever is purely your own gospel. As far as I know, SW voted based on their interests just like SE, SS, MB, etc. Man, I need to log off, I have stuff to do.[/quote]No Sir, SW does not vote base on interest unlike others, Neither does the middle belt.

WHY GEJ WON THOSE REGIONS IS BECAUSE OF THIS SIMPLE REASONS

1. Sympathy that GEJ is from the SS region that has never produce the president unlike SW or MB

2. They wanted to SHOW SS AND SE THAT THEY ARE ONE, PART AND PARCEL OF THIS NATION. I am on the streets and I know what people talk about. Middle belt does not start and end with Benue. We have Kogi, plateau etc and that was the reason

3. Infact, BOTH REGIONS WERE GOING TO VOTE SE for 2015. Fact !!! Even a blind man could read that coming.

Don't come here and start telling us interest this interest that. I wonder what interest SS and SE have for SW ? Buhari gave SW the VP position, so what interest would you possibly have . rubbish

Better start tell yourself the truth so it would set you free

The truth is there for us to see. if you choose to flatter someone or choose to take sides, our MAKER would destroy us. Lets start from fuel subsidy.

Fuel subsidy did not start with GEJ and so did the protest start with GEJ. For Nigeria to move forward we need to address some fundamental issues.

1. Who am I loyal to, Nigerians or my zone ?

2. Is there equality in Nigeria among all her people ?

3. Why are they protesting or why are these certain group of people not happy ?

4. Is it the same reason as mine or it is different ?

5. What can my sector of the country do to help them ?

That is how brother with brains think not trying to exclude or trying to chant hate against the other.

I have looked at the Nigeria political system and why people like Afam4eva was not happy at the first place and I supported his views. Not that he is my blood brother or he is from my zone but because I hate injustice and what ever happen to his zone would finally catch up with mine. That is forward thinking.

You would wonder the sanity of some Nigerians at times. Imagine A NIGERIA (Beaf and other bigots) praying that Adenuga does not make it past the shores of Nigeria business wise or his business runs down because someone is taunting him ?

All my life since I heard of Innoson, I have always support the movement because I know one way of the other it secure the future of OUR children someway. I is really painful thinking about it at times.

Mmuo Okija: What is the meaning of this useless thread?!


I am Chief, Dr., Deacon, Engr., Eze Mmuo, Ichie OKIJA Juju (The Agu ji egbe 1 of Nairaland, Ome ka nnaya 1 of Nri and Okosisi dachiri uzo 1 of Nnewi) GCON, BSc, MSc, NNPC & GCE.


So?! What makes it silly!!? If you dont have any achievements that you can add to your name then I'm sorry you have been wasting your life up till now. . . By the end of the year, when I return from Mecca, I will add Alhaji to my titles.

[quote author=Sam_Ikenna]We dont have to go into Lagos or no Lagos because thats whats keeping us from freeing ourselves from this constant noose thats been on our necks for eons. Of course I'm sure his comments about Lagos is the only thing you'll see. So sad.[/quote]The Lagos thing gets to me because I see Lagosians as one and some elements from your region are trying to spilt us.

If I choose to comment on CyberG's post and Your post, I do not think you two would NOT appreciate it because I would say the truth and the truth is a bitter pill to swallow.

1. Cyber G was Wrong to blame Boko haram on GEJ. The people doing Boko haram know themselves and we need to point this out

2. Cyber G was absolutely right when he spoke on blaming the SECURITY on GEJ. Why you may ask, for a nation like Nigeria things happen very fast and in a chain reaction. Thus when MEND bombed Abuja and the president was mediocre about it, Boko haram got the idea from them.

3. You Sam Ikenna talk of the SW and MB voting for GEJ as well. I thought it was the Non-indigenes from the SE and SS that voted for GEJ in the SW and MB ? I thought the SE and SS did it all on their own.

You see my brother when you look at southern policies, you would be full of laugher because we all know FULL well that there would NEVER be unity in the south as far as the WORLD is concerned.

Immediately after the election, Beaf and his Igbo cohorts were quick to say Yoruba did not vote for GEJ, they controlled the votes in the SW. Most SWerners even to Edo and Western Delta warned you people to stop but it continued. Now you see why they warned you all.

Already the sort of vote seen in the last election would be the last of it. You can be rest assured that SW have learnt their lesson and it was the bitter one.

So my brother, apparently SW and MB did not vote for GEJ. It is the non-indigenes from East that voted GEJ in. Good luck.

Olaolufred: I really do not think Delta has any problem.
Is it not the same Delta that Idolizes Ibori?
Is it not the same delta that says" He is our son Let him do it".
If Delta really know they have problem, let them show it by action.
However, those who showed it yesterday by violence are already eating the cake of Amnesty.
I heard Tompolo is now a big time contractor for SS states. Violence pays.
That is the major message there.
But for your assertions, Deltans can fight for their own alone.
Calling Soyinka a tout is an aberation.
You know that your generations up till now is not close to the first letter of his name. You know.

He is not from Delta, he is just another bigot on the loose

jmaine: make una join OPC Massob,bakassi,and Egbesu boys . . so that e go complete

Jmaine Jmaine, you this PDP man sha You no fit gree

Why ? Has OPC, Massob , Bakassi and Egbesu boys bombed Nigerians and kill hundreds ?

Why do you always talk of Lagos with contempt

Why are you so envious ? Did CyberG talk of taking any property or anything pertaining who and what in the economy of lagos ?

Sure insecurity would only lead to the inevitable [quote author=PROUD-IGBO]@CyberG:

You know i've noticed you like making this statement of "everybody moving back to his/her place", and if i didn't know better i'd think you were the resident nairaland clown.

I know it's Lagos you have in mind when you take this position of yours, and all i can say is stop dreaming mate.

*Are you talking of Lagos that has been kept -by all sorts of underhand shenanigans- as the only centre of commerce and industry in Nigeria with all the attendant advantages over cities from other regions/states?

*Are you talking of Lagos that was the former capital of Nigeria, and hence has seen a sizeable chunk of OUR COMMONWEALTH used in developing it over the decades?

*Are you talking of Lagos that has the only major Int'l Airport/Sea Port built by the Federal Gov't in Southern Nigeria (and for a long time was the only major Int'l gateway for the whole country), and by default has had an unfair advantage compared with other cities in attracting investments, tourists, etc?

*Are you talking of Lagos that people from all over Nigeria have been forced to reside in and do business b'cos of the above mentioned points?

*And finally are you talking of Lagos that is the former capital of Nigeria- a Nigeria that your forebears fought Ndigbo in particular and the old Eastern Region in general to be a part of when they wanted out?

If you think for a second that Nigeria dividing would lead to lazy bastards like you coverting and keeping all the investments and sweat of non Yorubas in Lagos, then you've got another think coming.

You justify the boko madness and reason that we brought it on our heads for choosing to side with Jonathan (as against your saint Buhari) in the last elections. We owe no-fuc/king-body any apology for who we choose to vote for- that's the beauty of 'democracy' and 'one Nigeria' so get over it mate. If you try to justify -under any guise- the slaughter of innocents by these bastards, then you're no better than them.

If Nigeria divides, Lagos and it's peculiar nature will be discussed. Now if for instance you got possesive with cities like Ibadan and Abeokuta, i'll understand, but not Lagos.[/quote]

[quote author=Rhino.5dm]PDP=MEND=Boko Haram![/quote]I always knew

Both boko haram and MEND are political tools.

MEND claim to be fighting for ND but ND has not really changed. How I wish Nigerians irrespective of zone and ethnicity can come together do the right thing for the sake of our future

Hmmmmmmm !!!

Mods please can this get to the Front page

https://www.nairaland.com/928182/why-wole-soyinka-should-supported#10729302

Please

Lagosians Rally Against Fuel Price Hike, condemning President Olusegun Obasanjo

FG commends NLC, may crash price

Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the coalition of civil society groups yesterday in Lagos held the first in the series of the rallies to protest the recent hike in prices of petroleum products. The rally drew out a large crowd of protesters from all works of life.

The Federal Government has however, commended the NLC and other organisers for holding a peaceful rally to drive home their point rather than the strike option. It also gave indications of a possible downward review in the pump prices of petroleum products following noticeable drop in the cost of refined crude in the international market.

Yesterday's rally led by NLC President Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, although peaceful, was marked by an unprecedented police presence. Apart from occupying strategic locations in the metropolis as well as assigning troops to monitor the event, two police helicopters hovered around the protesters to aviod a possible break down of law and order.

Other notable Nigerians in the vanguard of the protest rally included Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, the Chairman, Labour and Civil Society Coalition (LACSCO), Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti and Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) leader, Dr. Frederick Fasheun.

Others were President, Academic Staff Union of Universities, (ASSU), Dr Sule Kano, President, Congress of Free Trade Unions, (CFTU), Princewill Ojeh, Trade Union Congress (TCU), Peace Obiajulu, Hon. Wale Osun, Chuma Ubani and Mr. Femi Falana.



The rally which began at about 7 a.m. caused an unprecedented traffic stretching from Yaba to Ikeja, and saw a convergence of workers, traders, students, artisans, the unemployed, all carrying different placards seeking justice, improvement in the living condition of the citizenry, an end to incessant fuel prices and bad government.

The protesters marched several kilometers from the National Stadium through Yaba to Alausa, seat of the Lagos State government. Addressing the crowd, Governor Bola Tinubu expressed his maximum support for the mass protest and said the level of poverty at a period of oil boom, "constitutes the greatest threat to democratic sustainability and national security in Nigeria."

In a letter presented to Tinubu for onward transfer to President Olusegun Obasanjo, the prostesters said the rallies and protest marches which will move to Benin, Edo State tommorrow would go on until the Federal Government reversed the new fuel prices.

"The Labour and Civil Society Coalition (LASCO) wishes to once again strongly urge Mr. President to reverse the recent increases in the prices of petroleum products and to set in motion the machinery for implementing the price stabilization component of the Senator Ibrahim Mantu report," LASCO said in the letter.

The coalition stated that the responses of Nigerians across all divides have demonstrated that the recent increases in fuel prices has made life more unbearable for individual citizens, households, businesses, and communities across the country. They noted that even both chambers of the National Assembly had also alluded to the intolerable hardships caused by the fuel price increase and have rightly resolved that the Executive should revert to the old prices.

"While Nigerians were still groaning under the inflationary effects of previous fuel price hikes, the latest round has predictably unleashed even more astronomical increases. Prices of every commodity and service have risen outrageously in both urban and rural areas. But wages have remained largely static meaning that for average wage earners, life is impossible.

"Private industry and other sections of the Nigerian business community have also been unanimous in lamenting the negative impact of these and previous increases on the costs of doing business. With the rise in the cost of black oil and other fuel products, the energy cost components have made Nigerian industries and businesses uncompetitive, increasing the rate of factory and business closures across the sectors. The resulting worsening of the business and investment climate is the kernel of the recent outcry of important groups like Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA) and National Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA)", said the activists.

Oshiomhole charged Nigerians to be ready for a prolonged struggle towards ensuring that they are not enslaved by the spoils of what is supposed to be the nation’s wealth.

He added that the continued pauperization of the people by the present regime is a prelude to the intention of the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala to have a safe place to return to after the completion of her ministerial term when he could serve as a consultant to the IMF.

Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Adewole Ajakaiye accompained by his Deputy in charge of operations, Mr. John Haruna, said police were present to ensure that the rally was not hijacked by hoodlums on the streets.

And speaking in Abuja on the rally, Minister of Labour and Productivity, Dr. Mohammed Hassan Lawal, said he was “happy that the gospel of dialogue that he has been preaching is reaping fruits”. He added that Government has and will continue to take steps that would alleviate the suffering of the people.

“ I must say here that we need to commend them because for the first time the labour movement has decided not to go on strike right away.

While reacting to attempts being made by governments across Europe and even in nearby Ghana to reduce fuel prices to cushion the effect of rising price of crude oil in the international market on their citizens, he said “this is the fundamental error we always make."

"Please compare apple with apple. Don’t compare apple with an orange. The quantum of money we saved from some of these increases. This is not money meant for anybody to go on Christmas spree. This is money meant for the provision of basic infrastructure. You are now talking of European countries.

For God sake is water or borehole an issue in England or Italy or France? Is electricity an issue in Germany or England? The issue is that we are a developing society," said the minister.

Meanwhile, the Executive Secretary of the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA), Dr. Oluwole Oluleye, yesterday hinted of a possible downward review in fuel prices following what he described as a noticeable drop in the cost of refined crude in the international market.

Oluleye said the agency was in no way contemplating any further increase beyond the N65 per litre of petrol, rather "with the downward movement of the prices of refined products in the international market, Nigerians could expect a reduction of pump price if the trend continues."

Oluleye who spoke to newsmen shortly after addressing participants at the 2005 annual meeting of product marketers and the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) in Abuja, said the cost of refined products has started a downward trend from an all time high of $854 per metric ton recorded last two weeks to about $654 as at yesterday.

The PPPRA scribe described the prevailing situation in the US where gasoline prices have been on astronomical increase up to $6 per gallon of fuel as an aberration which will not be allowed to affect the Nigerian market.

The pump price of petrol price was raised to N65 a litre last month to reflect the high cost of crude oil which peaked then at $70 per barrel.

"What we are having in the oil market seems to me as an aberration, prices do not usually go up continuously for a prolonged period. I only hope we do not get to a stage where crude oil price have to crash down", he said.

He said the reason for the approval of the price adjustments was to encourage price recovery in the industry and to break the monopoly of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) as the sole importer and supplier of petroleum products in the domestic market.

He expressed regret that PPPRA has failed to realize one of its cardinal objectives, which is to bring other private marketers to compete with NNPC in product import business more than one year after the introduction of deregulation.

Oluleye also noted that the effort to open up the downstream sector and to enforce transparency has been having a set back due to insufficient local refining capacity in the country.

"We have not been able to break the monopoly of NNPC, which is one of the cardinal objectives of establishing PPPRA. For us to be able to do so, the existing market environment must be made to guarantee cost recovery by operators", he said.

The PPPRA executive secretary stated that in as much as the agency is creating an atmosphere for cost recovery in the fuel supply business, it is not going to allow marketers engage in 'price grudging', that is taking advantage of the situation to exploit consumers in the local market.

Government appears to be in a difficult position defending the recent increase in fuel price in the face of formidable opposition by the organized labour.

Governments of most European countries had been chunning out measures to reduce fuel prices even in the face of the galloping world crude oil prices.

THISDAY gathered that the presidency in an effort to stave off labour crisis has been holding consultations with the various segments of the public.

President Olusegun Obasanjo was said to have approved the setting up a stabilization fund which is one of the recommendations made by the Senator Ibrahim Mantu-led Committee on fuel price increase palliative measures.

Oluleye said the Federal Government has provided its own part of the stabilisation funding, it is left for the states and the local governments to come up with their counterpart funds to make the scheme a reality".

http://nm.onlinenigeria.com/templates/?a=5264&z=17

Here is an article in 2005 by BBC

Nigerian march against fuel hikes as Wole Soyinka and others take to the streets

Wednesday, 14 September 2005, 13:44 GMT

Thousands of demonstrators have marched through Nigeria's main city of Lagos in protest at a 30% rise in fuel costs after subsidies were cut last month.
It is the beginning of two weeks of peaceful protests to take place across Nigeria organised by trade unions.

At one point, the noisy and colourful gathering stretched for more than 3km through the city's streets.

Police have been ordered not to carry firearms in the first sanctioned anti-government protest in 40 years.

Nigeria is Africa's largest oil exporter, but is dependent on imports of fuel because it does not have enough refining capacity to meet its own needs.

"Stop fuel importations, make our refineries work," some placards read.

Strike not ruled out

The Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Cardinal Olubunmi Okogie, and Nobel Prize winner Wole Soyinka joined the 13km march.


The unions say price hikes affect badly all Nigerian workers
Two-thirds of Nigeria's population is still living on less than $1 a day, and the unions say the fuel price increases will badly affect all Nigerian workers.

Last month, President Olusegun Obasanjo said that the government had financed more than $1bn in fuel subsidies in the past six month as a result of high prices of refined petrol on the international markets.

"Petrol is God's gift to Nigeria. Why can't Obasanjo allow us to enjoy it?" asked a 24-year-old demonstrator.

After two week, the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) will meet to decide if further action is needed, depending on the government's reactions.

The BBC's Sola Odunfa in Lagos says a general strike in October has not been ruled out.

Last year, the NLC called three crippling general strikes against fuel prices rises.

Under legislation passed in March, umbrella unions, such as the NLC, are not allowed to call a strike.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/4244556.stm


The picture below is that of Wole Soyinka and Oshiomole before he became the governor. That was Lagos protest against Obasanjo administration during the increment of fuel prices


https://nm.onlinenigeria.com/articlefiles/5264-6.jpg

I have heard mostly from the eastern part of the country that Yorubas or should I say Lagosians are against GEJ administration. First of all, I would like to draw your attention to the fact that Lagos has been the helm of protest against past administrations that have destroyed this country. They just don't protest for protest sake but protest because something is seriously wrong with the way Nigeria is.

Just yesterday or so, Wole Soyinka call on Nigerians to protest. You know what ? some element started calling Wole Soyinka all sort of names and even worse trying to incite that Wole Soyinka did not protest during OBJ era just cause OBJ was from the South-Western part of the country. This elements are from the east and I would like them to stop playing with their future and the future of Nigeria. We all are in the same dilemma in the cesspit called Nigeria.

For the past 50 years or so, the Niger bridge along side other infrastructures have been abandoned by previous administrations. The governments (both present and past) have not done much about it. Is it only it collapse due to decay then the east would protest along side other Nigerians or are they blind to see nothing is working in Nigeria.

I am saying this so people can know that "what they wish for is what they get". You cannot plant an orange seed and expect to reap a mango fruit. I find it very distasteful and sad that people from this part of the country would chose to insult a noble Nigerian like Wole Soyinka by describing him as a bigoted fellow. Please let's becareful of what we post. If you do not want this nation to grow the keep shut and allow those that would not mortgage their future for bigotry to do so.

Below are the protest by Wole Soyinka against his fellow South-western man in 2005.

[quote author=onye_ngbu*]Exactly my point! People here keeps shouting corruption this and that but they are yet to prove that it started during GEJ era!

Nigeria has been getting more and more corrupt before GEJ and most times people speculate about these things but now under GEJ, we have heard and seen how all those things are carried out. Shouldnt that be a plus to the man? He could have suppressed all the exposures (like his predecessors) and yet NOTHING would have happened. But he allowed everything to come out in the open.
How else should corruption be tackled if not by exposing then. First step to healing is admitting theres a problem.

On the other hand, boko haram is a phenomenom that will ake time for any nigerian leader to tackle. Common these people stepped up their attacks and we know that our borders and security has been porous for decades. if you expect GEJ to perform miracle overnight then you are asking for too much because these things took a long time to decay and therefore, it will take even longer time to correct.

By the way, why do nairalanders think their opinion is the opinion of 120 million nigerians. Havent 'Buhari has won' of 2011 taught any of you some lessons? [/quote]And so because GEJ is there we should allow it to get more corrupt ?

Dalover and Axrsexy and all other bigots where una dey. Abeg come back here

igbo boy: Yoruba no go ever gree,,,,hahahaha..i like una style sha...una go complain from now till eternity, call am retardeen, drunken fisherman, if u like yab im wife join too sef....at the end of the day na im be d president and not tinubu so ride on...

So you like as Nigeria is now ?

dmainboss: There has been an unprecedented level of corruption in Nigeria since I was born. If you think Nigerians are going to take that on Jonathan, you will be deceiving yourself. That is not likely going to change his approval rating. If fact, there has never been an open opportunity to expose corruption like you have now, so that is actually a plus on him. The signing of the FOI bill and the repeal of the official secrets act is a huge huge plus for Jonathan.

Shut up dai, who is blaming GEJ ? We are blaming the system and unfortunately GEJ is now part of the system

Are these the people GEJ claim to be fighing against Otedola Dantata and co ? Yet in his economic team ?

Be deceiving yourself, another silly bigot on the loose

Lagos as a state for all Nigerians has NEVER BEEN PARTIAL to anyone or being. Go figure

Let me here those tribal ideeiots talk again. Wole Soyinka, you have done well for Nigeria. GOD bless you sir

Lagosians Rally Against Fuel Price Hike, condemning President Olusegun Obasanjo

FG commends NLC, may crash price

Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the coalition of civil society groups yesterday in Lagos held the first in the series of the rallies to protest the recent hike in prices of petroleum products. The rally drew out a large crowd of protesters from all works of life.

The Federal Government has however, commended the NLC and other organisers for holding a peaceful rally to drive home their point rather than the strike option. It also gave indications of a possible downward review in the pump prices of petroleum products following noticeable drop in the cost of refined crude in the international market.

Yesterday's rally led by NLC President Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, although peaceful, was marked by an unprecedented police presence. Apart from occupying strategic locations in the metropolis as well as assigning troops to monitor the event, two police helicopters hovered around the protesters to aviod a possible break down of law and order.

Other notable Nigerians in the vanguard of the protest rally included Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, the Chairman, Labour and Civil Society Coalition (LACSCO), Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti and Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) leader, Dr. Frederick Fasheun.

Others were President, Academic Staff Union of Universities, (ASSU), Dr Sule Kano, President, Congress of Free Trade Unions, (CFTU), Princewill Ojeh, Trade Union Congress (TCU), Peace Obiajulu, Hon. Wale Osun, Chuma Ubani and Mr. Femi Falana.



The rally which began at about 7 a.m. caused an unprecedented traffic stretching from Yaba to Ikeja, and saw a convergence of workers, traders, students, artisans, the unemployed, all carrying different placards seeking justice, improvement in the living condition of the citizenry, an end to incessant fuel prices and bad government.

The protesters marched several kilometers from the National Stadium through Yaba to Alausa, seat of the Lagos State government. Addressing the crowd, Governor Bola Tinubu expressed his maximum support for the mass protest and said the level of poverty at a period of oil boom, "constitutes the greatest threat to democratic sustainability and national security in Nigeria."

In a letter presented to Tinubu for onward transfer to President Olusegun Obasanjo, the prostesters said the rallies and protest marches which will move to Benin, Edo State tommorrow would go on until the Federal Government reversed the new fuel prices.

"The Labour and Civil Society Coalition (LASCO) wishes to once again strongly urge Mr. President to reverse the recent increases in the prices of petroleum products and to set in motion the machinery for implementing the price stabilization component of the Senator Ibrahim Mantu report," LASCO said in the letter.

The coalition stated that the responses of Nigerians across all divides have demonstrated that the recent increases in fuel prices has made life more unbearable for individual citizens, households, businesses, and communities across the country. They noted that even both chambers of the National Assembly had also alluded to the intolerable hardships caused by the fuel price increase and have rightly resolved that the Executive should revert to the old prices.

"While Nigerians were still groaning under the inflationary effects of previous fuel price hikes, the latest round has predictably unleashed even more astronomical increases. Prices of every commodity and service have risen outrageously in both urban and rural areas. But wages have remained largely static meaning that for average wage earners, life is impossible.

"Private industry and other sections of the Nigerian business community have also been unanimous in lamenting the negative impact of these and previous increases on the costs of doing business. With the rise in the cost of black oil and other fuel products, the energy cost components have made Nigerian industries and businesses uncompetitive, increasing the rate of factory and business closures across the sectors. The resulting worsening of the business and investment climate is the kernel of the recent outcry of important groups like Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA) and National Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA)", said the activists.

Oshiomhole charged Nigerians to be ready for a prolonged struggle towards ensuring that they are not enslaved by the spoils of what is supposed to be the nation’s wealth.

He added that the continued pauperization of the people by the present regime is a prelude to the intention of the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala to have a safe place to return to after the completion of her ministerial term when he could serve as a consultant to the IMF.

Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Adewole Ajakaiye accompained by his Deputy in charge of operations, Mr. John Haruna, said police were present to ensure that the rally was not hijacked by hoodlums on the streets.

And speaking in Abuja on the rally, Minister of Labour and Productivity, Dr. Mohammed Hassan Lawal, said he was “happy that the gospel of dialogue that he has been preaching is reaping fruits”. He added that Government has and will continue to take steps that would alleviate the suffering of the people.

“ I must say here that we need to commend them because for the first time the labour movement has decided not to go on strike right away.

While reacting to attempts being made by governments across Europe and even in nearby Ghana to reduce fuel prices to cushion the effect of rising price of crude oil in the international market on their citizens, he said “this is the fundamental error we always make."

"Please compare apple with apple. Don’t compare apple with an orange. The quantum of money we saved from some of these increases. This is not money meant for anybody to go on Christmas spree. This is money meant for the provision of basic infrastructure. You are now talking of European countries.

For God sake is water or borehole an issue in England or Italy or France? Is electricity an issue in Germany or England? The issue is that we are a developing society," said the minister.

Meanwhile, the Executive Secretary of the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA), Dr. Oluwole Oluleye, yesterday hinted of a possible downward review in fuel prices following what he described as a noticeable drop in the cost of refined crude in the international market.

Oluleye said the agency was in no way contemplating any further increase beyond the N65 per litre of petrol, rather "with the downward movement of the prices of refined products in the international market, Nigerians could expect a reduction of pump price if the trend continues."

Oluleye who spoke to newsmen shortly after addressing participants at the 2005 annual meeting of product marketers and the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) in Abuja, said the cost of refined products has started a downward trend from an all time high of $854 per metric ton recorded last two weeks to about $654 as at yesterday.

The PPPRA scribe described the prevailing situation in the US where gasoline prices have been on astronomical increase up to $6 per gallon of fuel as an aberration which will not be allowed to affect the Nigerian market.

The pump price of petrol price was raised to N65 a litre last month to reflect the high cost of crude oil which peaked then at $70 per barrel.

"What we are having in the oil market seems to me as an aberration, prices do not usually go up continuously for a prolonged period. I only hope we do not get to a stage where crude oil price have to crash down", he said.

He said the reason for the approval of the price adjustments was to encourage price recovery in the industry and to break the monopoly of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) as the sole importer and supplier of petroleum products in the domestic market.

He expressed regret that PPPRA has failed to realize one of its cardinal objectives, which is to bring other private marketers to compete with NNPC in product import business more than one year after the introduction of deregulation.

Oluleye also noted that the effort to open up the downstream sector and to enforce transparency has been having a set back due to insufficient local refining capacity in the country.

"We have not been able to break the monopoly of NNPC, which is one of the cardinal objectives of establishing PPPRA. For us to be able to do so, the existing market environment must be made to guarantee cost recovery by operators", he said.

The PPPRA executive secretary stated that in as much as the agency is creating an atmosphere for cost recovery in the fuel supply business, it is not going to allow marketers engage in 'price grudging', that is taking advantage of the situation to exploit consumers in the local market.

Government appears to be in a difficult position defending the recent increase in fuel price in the face of formidable opposition by the organized labour.

Governments of most European countries had been chunning out measures to reduce fuel prices even in the face of the galloping world crude oil prices.

THISDAY gathered that the presidency in an effort to stave off labour crisis has been holding consultations with the various segments of the public.

President Olusegun Obasanjo was said to have approved the setting up a stabilization fund which is one of the recommendations made by the Senator Ibrahim Mantu-led Committee on fuel price increase palliative measures.

Oluleye said the Federal Government has provided its own part of the stabilisation funding, it is left for the states and the local governments to come up with their counterpart funds to make the scheme a reality".

http://nm.onlinenigeria.com/templates/?a=5264&z=17



Here is Wole Soyink with Adam Osho baba 2005 against OBJ before Osho was even a governor

https://nm.onlinenigeria.com/articlefiles/5264-6.jpg

Arysexy: they only stand up when their son is not in power, where were they when OBJ was looting naija dry? Dis subsidy palaver is a rot frm OBJ regime.

Where you in Nigeria when Wole Soyinka and Gani protested

Here is 2005 during OBJ era. were your fore-fathers ? Bastard

[size=18pt]Nigerian march against fuel hikes as Wole Soyinka and others take to the streets

Wednesday, 14 September 2005, 13:44 GMT[/size]

Thousands of demonstrators have marched through Nigeria's main city of Lagos in protest at a 30% rise in fuel costs after subsidies were cut last month.
It is the beginning of two weeks of peaceful protests to take place across Nigeria organised by trade unions.

At one point, the noisy and colourful gathering stretched for more than 3km through the city's streets.

Police have been ordered not to carry firearms in the first sanctioned anti-government protest in 40 years.

Nigeria is Africa's largest oil exporter, but is dependent on imports of fuel because it does not have enough refining capacity to meet its own needs.

[size=13pt]"Stop fuel importations, make our refineries work," some placards read.[/size]

Strike not ruled out

[size=13pt]The Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Cardinal Olubunmi Okogie, and Nobel Prize winner Wole Soyinka joined the 13km march.[/size]


The unions say price hikes affect badly all Nigerian workers
Two-thirds of Nigeria's population is still living on less than $1 a day, and the unions say the fuel price increases will badly affect all Nigerian workers.

[size=13pt]Last month, President Olusegun Obasanjo said that the government had financed more than $1bn in fuel subsidies in the past six month as a result of high prices of refined petrol on the international markets.[/size]

"Petrol is God's gift to Nigeria. Why can't Obasanjo allow us to enjoy it?" asked a 24-year-old demonstrator.

After two week, the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) will meet to decide if further action is needed, depending on the government's reactions.

The BBC's Sola Odunfa in Lagos says a general strike in October has not been ruled out.

Last year, the NLC called three crippling general strikes against fuel prices rises.

Under legislation passed in March, umbrella unions, such as the NLC, are not allowed to call a strike.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/4244556.stm

I dey laugh o !!!

While Beaf is praying for Glo to come down, Glo is moving from strength to strength Alhamdu lillah

I hope the dude would not kill himself in envy.

This week has not been a good week at all for Beaf

My Nigerian people. please take good use of the opportunity by applying for Jobs as Glo expands

A word is enough for the wise

Gbawe: Indeed. Anyone who does not approve of planned protests should simply stay away and spare us the BS we had the last time where the ethnic jingoists foolishly and ignorantly postulated that certain ethnic groups wanting to sabotage the presidency of "their brother".

Thank you !!!

deandavid: my guy this is what am saying, why on earth did the house of rep, carryout the probe? The probe is supose to expose the wrong doers in that system and punish them..simple. What i will be protesting for is that the theives should be persecuted. Sweeping the report under carpet, is like playing on our intelligence. If he want to change the system, let him change, but the theives should be punished. An average nigerian will never subscribe to this your argument o, what is worth doing is worth doing well. GEJ should do what the china, british, america and even south africa's govt will do,if they find a theif. Your views logically sounds like that's of the ruling class, that blame their theiving atitude on the system, and not ready to change it, and does not want to be punished. But this time, na lie, head must roll.

My brother. May God continue to bless you barakAllahu feekum, Insha Allah.

God has blessed you with wisdom and I hope he would continue to bless you and your generations as you continue the good work of saying the truth. Amin

[size=14pt]This Dalover and co are evil. Chai !!!!

When Soyinka and Gani were protesting against OBJ. It was alright, Do you think Soyinka as educated as he is would fall from tribal bigotry ? Soyinka protested against OBJ they are both Yorubas.

Dalover do you stay in Nigeria ? I guess not

Look around you, people from various tribals are suffering, lack of proper drinking water is the order of the day in the Nigeria.

You shout Northern elites this Northern elites that. The northern elites have stolen the money that would last their generations 5 times over and would simply not care about anybody whether in the north or south. These elites comprises of their southern counterpart. Last week UK just arrested Ibori for stealing billions from Delta. Was that the northerners fault as well ? Maybe it is yorubas fault also.

You shout Lagos, Lagos happens to be the BEST I repeat the BEST state out of Nigeria are complaining not to talk of states like Delta.

You are wicked, do you think for one second that the suffering of an Akpenvwoghene is different from the suffering of a Musa or an Adebayo ?

In the streets of Lagos, go to Ajegunle, go to Mushin see how Emeka and Akin are coming together to find a way out from their poverty. This way might even result to robbery or killing for money rituals. Emeka and Akin are graduates BTW

You must be MAD ! To think people would trade their future for petty tribal rant displayed here on Nairaland.

While Ibori, Sheriff and Akala are in their mansion enjoying the good things of life. Ideeiots like you are using tribalism to becloud your judgement later you wonder why Nigerians would keep suffering. Well this is your answer.

Ideeiots like you would then go aboard and be full of shame to call yourself a Nigeria. What a loser for life you are and I seriously question your sanity
[/size]
I seriously doubt you are deltan (you have claimed Isoko, Urhobo now Ijaw yet you cannot write in anyone of them) but I would leave that for now.

You are no different from Beaf the Bigot

Afren Energy Headquarters to serve Nigeria design

the design of the two building

https://i.imgur.com/FRrmB.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/Xfuig.jpg

chino11: Not everybody is worth my response. Am sure this thug must think hes making any sense. Keep living in illusion while Fashola and Tinubu continue to smile to the bank over white elephant and unrealizable project meant to be a conduit pipe for siphoning of the money for them and their children yet unborn. What a gullible tribe.

Oga mi Chino11 , it has nothing to do with tribe. This project has been funded by yoruba,igbo hausa etc so lets leave this thinking for another thread. I have told you that Lagos is for Nigeria. This is coming from an Indigene.

Now I want to know why you think it is a white elephant project. I know you can be very analytical so please tell me so I can see if from you point of view.

Gbawe: Alhaji, with all due respect, start being circumspect about who you discuss with and haters, keen to ridicule you, will not flock around your username like fly to Shite. You know you are discussing with a Yoruba/SW hater who , delusionally, will never see good in anything associated with Yoruba folks or the SW region. Yet you indulge him. One has to wonder about you sometimes.

Can you not just ignore some folks and let them be the lone voice of hateful lunacy? What is the non-professional,uninformed, unreasonably biased and hateful opinion of a rebrobate like Chino11 worth in a sensible discussion? Zero. Same as is the case for the many hateful fools you have time to indulge.

Oga mi Gbawe, I know what you are talking about. Chino11 that I know thinks progressively and that was why I was paying him attention. If it was Ngodigha aka Andre or Adejoro aka Nchara it would have been a different case.