On Tuesday, February 27th, 2024, the Ondo State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) joined fellow chapters nationwide in a protest against economic hardships, rising hunger, and insecurity in Nigeria.
Led by Ondo NLC Chairman, Comrade Victor Amoko, demonstrators marched through major streets in Akure to the Governor’s Office, expressing dissatisfaction with government policies that have exacerbated hardship for Nigerians.
Key demands included ending hunger and poverty, halting Naira devaluation to support local production, addressing insecurity while creating job opportunities, and rejecting IMF/World Bank policies.
Additional demands encompassed fixing local refineries, discontinuing subsidies, combatting wealth disparity by taxing the affluent, advocating for free education instead of student loans, and eliminating taxes on essential drugs, emphasizing the importance of health.
Comrade Amoko clarified that the union’s grievances were not directed towards the Ondo State government but aimed at influencing national policies, with hopes that the outcomes of protests nationwide would reach the President.
In response, Governor Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, represented by Ondo State Head of Service, Pastor Kayode Ogundele, acknowledged the public’s challenging circumstances. The government, he assured, has historically taken proactive measures to alleviate poverty, including clearing outstanding salaries and implementing a N35,000 wage award while prioritizing retirees’ welfare.
Furthermore, he highlighted ongoing efforts such as food palliative distributions and free transport services to support workers amidst harsh economic realities. Assuring protesters that their concerns would be conveyed to the State Governor, Pastor Ogundele affirmed the government’s commitment to enhancing workers’ welfare, including plans to expand transportation services.