Gov Makinde joins workers protest, says there’s hunger, anger in Nigeria
Makinde urged the labour leaders to make their demands to his government, stating areas they would want government to assist in ameliorating the hardship faced by the masses.
Seyi Makinde, Governor of Oyo State, joined labour demonstrators in the state on Tuesday to raise concerns about the country's deteriorating economic position.
The governor stated that misery and poverty have reached unprecedented proportions, with many people unable to feed themselves or find work.
He asked all sides to collaborate to find answers, expressing optimism that the situation could be turned around.
"There is hunger and hardship in the land," declared the governor. "We must do something about it."
He has pleaded with Nigerians to endure the current hardship, saying it will end soon.
Governor Makinde noted that the worsening economic situation is not unique to Oyo State, but rather a nationwide issue.
He called on the federal government to take action to alleviate the suffering of the people, emphasising the need for policies that promote growth and job creation.
Makinde made the plea while addressing Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) leaders and other protesters at the Total Garden Roundabout, in Ibadan on Tuesday.
Supreme News reports that the labour leaders and youths began a two-day peaceful protest declared by the NLC over hardship faced by Nigerians
The leadership of the NLC initially restricted the governor from addressing the protesters, alleging that he was among the nation’s leaders causing the hardship.
Makinde urged the labour leaders to make their demands to his government, stating areas they would want government to assist in ameliorating the hardship faced by the masses.
He said that his administration had been living up to its expectations as regards the welfare of its workforce.
“The government has started paying N25, 000 and N15, 000 wage awards to all state civil servants and pensioners respectively since October,” he said.
The governor assured the people that his government remained committed to implementing programmes, which would further cushion the effect of the fuel subsidy removal.
He appealed to the NLC to let the protest remain peaceful.