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Makinde Attributes Planned Protests to National Anger and Hunger And Urges Peaceful Demonstrations
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has attributed the planned nationwide protest to the prevalent anger and hunger experienced across the country.
This statement came during his address at the grand finale of the 2024 Ibadan Cultural Week, an event organized by the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII).
Speaking at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium in Ibadan, Makinde acknowledged that the widespread discontent and economic hardship are significant reasons behind the planned protest.
Makinde emphasized that while Nigerians have the right to voice their grievances through protests, these demonstrations must be conducted peacefully.
He stressed the importance of not resorting to violence or vandalism. “People have every right to protest, given the current situation of widespread anger and hunger.
However, it is vital that any protest remains peaceful and does not involve the destruction of public property,” he stated.
He reminded the public that government infrastructure, built with taxpayer funds, should be preserved.
“These structures and facilities are funded by public resources, not by me. Thus, if protests lead to the damage of government property, we would be forced to redirect funds from important projects to repair the damages. This would ultimately detract from the progress we aim to make for the people.”
Makinde’s call for peaceful protest underscores the importance of addressing grievances without compromising public resources and infrastructure.
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“You Can Still Have Subsidy Without Long Queues” — Rufai Oseni Speaks On Subsidy
TV anchor Rufai Oseni makes headlines as he speaks on fuel subsidy in Nigeria. He shared that Nigeria can have fuel subsidy without the long queues at filling stations.
“When we were still paying subsidies, there were no long queues. We were subsidising. So you can still have a subsidy regime going on, and there will be no long queues because production was close by. Dangote had it. That’s just it. That argument also falls flat.
“The biggest beneficiaries of subsidy are not Nigerians. They are crony capitalists that have big infrastructure, and they do contracts. They have been the biggest beneficiaries of the subsidy,” he said.
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Sanwo-Olu Speaks on Lagos’ Power Challenges and the Need for Change
Lagos State Governor, Sanwo-Olu, speaks to those in the electricity sector about the usual blackouts in the state.
He speaks on ways things can change in the state and how electricity can be provided.
“We need to drop corporate egos, abandon long-standing excuses, and confront the harsh realities obstructing progress in the power sector.”
“We, state governments, used to give excuses that everything is centralised, so the Federal Government has unbundled it now. What have we done in a year and a half?” Sanwo-Olu asked.
“We take two steps forward, we go five steps backward,” he said.
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Sanwo-Olu Declares August 20 Public Holiday in Lagos for Isese Festival
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has declared Thursday, August 20, a work-free day for public servants in the state to mark the Isese Festival.
Speaking on the celebration, he said “Ìṣẹ̀ṣe is not a relic. It is a living expression of our traditions and a celebration of Yoruba spirituality as an important part of Nigeria’s cultural and religious landscape,” he said.
He added “When the drums sound in Lagos on Thursday, they answer drums in Havana, in Salvador, in Port of Spain. Fifty-five million people and counting. Lagos is not observing a local holiday. Lagos is standing at the centre of a global heritage,” Aregbe said.
