Fuel Price slashed to N97, Mr President Speaks…

Dear Compatriots,

1.    This is the second time in two weeks I will address you on the deregulation of the downstream petroleum sector. In the last seven days, the nation has witnessed a disruption of economic activities.  Although, the economic imperatives for the policy have been well articulated by government, the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) went ahead to declare a nationwide strike.

2.    There was also near-breakdown of law and order in certain parts of the country as a result of the activities of some persons or groups of persons who took advantage of the situation to further their narrow interests by engaging in acts of intimidation, harassment and outright subversion of the Nigerian state. I express my sympathy to those who were adversely affected by the protests.

3.    At the inception of the deregulation policy, Government had set up the Justice

Alfa Belgore Committee to liaise with Labour and other stakeholders to address likely grey areas in the policy, but despite all our efforts, Labour refused the option of dialogue and also disobeyed a restraining order of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria.

  4.    However, following the intervention of the Leadership of the National Assembly, and other well-meaning Nigerians, Labour accepted to meet with government, but this yielded no tangible result.

5.    It has become clear to government and all well-meaning Nigerians that other interests beyond the implementation of the deregulation policy have hijacked the protest. This has prevented an objective assessment and consideration of all the contending issues for which dialogue was initiated by government. These same interests seek to promote discord, anarchy, and insecurity to the detriment of public peace.

6.    Government appreciates that the implementation of the deregulation policy would cause initial hardships and commends Nigerians who have put forth suggestions and credible alternatives in this regard. Government also salutes Nigerians who by and large, conducted themselves peacefully while expressing their grievances. Let me assure you that government will continue to respect the people’s right to express themselves within the confines of the law and in accordance with the dictates of our democratic space.

7.    Government will continue to pursue full deregulation of the downstream petroleum sector. However, given the hardships being suffered by Nigerians, and after due consideration and consultations with state governors and the leadership of the National Assembly, government has approved the reduction of the pump price of petrol to N97 per litre. The Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) has been directed to ensure compliance with this new pump price.

8.    Government is working hard to reduce recurrent expenditure in line with current realities and to cut down on the cost of governance. In the meantime, government has commenced the implementation of the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment projects: including the Federal Government- assisted mass transit programme which is already in place, and job creation for the youth.

9.     Furthermore, the legal and regulatory regime for the petroleum industry will be reviewed to address accountability issues and current lapses in the Industry. In this regard, the Petroleum Industry Bill will be given accelerated attention. The report of the forensic audit carried out on the NNPC is being studied with a view to implementing the recommendations and sanctioning proven acts of corruption in the industry.

10.   Let me assure Nigerians that this administration is irrevocably committed to tackling corruption in the petroleum industry as well as other sectors of the economy. Consequently, all those found to have contributed one way or the other to the economic adversity of the country will be dealt with in accordance with the law.

11.    My dear compatriots, I urge you to show understanding for the imperatives of the adjustment in the pump price of petrol and give government your full support to ensure its successful implementation. I further appeal to Nigerians to go back to work and go about their normal duties as government has made adequate arrangements for the protection of life and property throughout the federation.

12.  Government will not condone brazen acts of criminality and subversion. As President, I have sworn to uphold the unity, peace and order of the Nigerian State and by the grace of God, I intend to fully and effectively discharge that responsibility.  Let me add that we are desirous of further engagements with Labour. I urge our Labour leaders to call off their strike, and go back to work.

13.    Nigeria belongs to all of us and we must collectively safeguard its unity.

14.   Thank you. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

GOODLUCK EBELE JONATHAN, GCFR

President,

Federal Republic of Nigeria

Military men scattered all over Lagos, set to disrupt this morning protest

Some military men believed to be sent by the President are located at some strategic places in Lagos State ready to disrupt the protest scheduled for this morning. According to sources, the instruments used at the Ojota and Falomo protest grounds have been destroyed by the military men. They are also operating at check points, to ensure there are no materials relating to the occupy Nigeria protest in any car.

A picture of them flooded on the street when you continue

Strike continues on Monday, as NLC, FG could not reach an agreement

The meeting held yesterday night between the Federal Government, NLC and TUC has yet again ended in deadlock. The Labour leaders and FG were unable to reach an agreement as the meeting ended. They have however said it’s N65 or nothing, asking Nigerians to continue with the strike on Monday.

May God help this Nation.

Funny pictures of how youths occupied during the strike

Thank God the strike is off for now, so we can loosen up a bit. We don’t pray to continue on Monday God willing, we want our N65 back.

Meanwhile, if you haven’t seen any of these pictures, then here is a platform for you to see how some youths occupied during the strike. Funny us!!!

NLC, TUC & JAT declares weekend as strike free days

Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and Joint Action Front (JAF) have all commended Nigerians for turning out in their millions since Monday January 9, 2012, to protest the increase in the price of PMS (Petrol). 

They have however declared this weekend, Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th January, 2012, to be a strike, protest and rally-free days.

DAY 5: Ojota protest ground in pictures

Thanks to my brother Dipo, who was at the Ojota protest ground today. He brought us the protest in pictures. He will definitely make a good reporter. Click to see more pictures, indeed some are funny...

And the K&S church represented

What are boys trying to do o, some ‘jazz’ things? This boyz won’t kill us with laugh

And the youths are angry

Comedian Omobaba

Actor Wale Adebayo

Commissioner for Justice, Ekiti

Deji Oladokun, MD Cadbury

Fatai Rolling Dollar

And the crowd….

And the Muslims prayed

Some of the protesters leaving in a truck

See how some people came to the protest ground. Nigeria is my country and I love us. May God not let our efforts be in vain. AMEN

Photo of the Day

                           So the kids are reacting with one of them demonstrating. Good Lord! lol

Revert to N65 or resign: it is as simple as that

The members of the Ogun State Youth Alliance on Monday called on Goodluck Jonathan to revert to the pre-2012 N65 per litre of petrol or resign as the President of Nigeria.

During their rally to the corporate headquarters of Punch Nigeria Ltd in Magboro, on Monday, the protesters, led by Adesina Ibrahim, Moses Ehix and the youth leader, Oladele Kehinde, they also advised the Finance Minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, to resign.

The protesters carried placards and leaf branches in their march that covered Arepo, Wawa, Ibafo and Magboro.

Singing and chanting anti-Federal Government songs and slogans, they said life had become difficult for the ordinary Nigerian because of the removal of fuel subsidy by the Jonathan Administration.

“When we voted for Jonathan, we thought he would make policies that would favour us,” said Ibrahim, a lawyer. “But he has shown that he is not there to make the right policies. All that we’re demanding is that he reverses his anti-people policy on fuel subsidy removal.”

Another leader of the protesting youths, Ehix, said that the finance minister was only implementing the International Monetary Fund and World Bank policies.

Artistes’ war songs against Jonathan

Some musicians on Monday criticised President Goodluck Jonathan at a rally called by the Nigerian Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress to protest the removal of fuel subsidy.

Some actors and actresses such as Bimbo Akintola, Ronke Oshodi-Oke and popular actor Jide Kosoko also condemned the unpopular action.

Some of the players in the entertainment industry once enjoyed a beneficial relationship with the then candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, President Goodluck Jonathan during the April election. But whatever remained of that bond has seemingly broken by his refusal to revert his decision which has increased fuel price to N141.

One of the musicians, Dapo Oyebanjo, popularly called DBanj, who was believed to be a major beneficiary of the backing, was, however, absent.

Scion of Fela Afrobeat dynasty, Femi, lamented the lack which many Nigerians suffer amidst abundance. He noted that the subsidy removal was akin to increasing the people’s hardship.

According to him, some Nigerians will have to be killed to move the country forward.

His brother, Seun, said since Jonathan earned a Phd in Zoology, he wanted to treat Nigerians like animals. He said, ‘‘But we will not allow that. This protest is not only about fuel subsidy but all the cheatings we have endured and still enduring.’’

On his part, Dede Mabiaku, urged Nigerians not to be weary in the protest against fuel subsidy removal and bad governance.

Besides, fuji star, Wasiu Ayinde (KWAM 1), urged the government to give the people good governance.

He said, ‘‘The people did not use any weapon such as axe, gun or cutlass. Give us what rightly belongs to us. Nigerians want good roads, jobs, affordable healthcare and quality education.’’

Akintola noted that while prices of consumable goods and transport fare had risen, workers’ salary had yet increased.

Singers who later sang against the Goodluck Jonathan administration and his policy of subsidy removal include Abolore Akande (9ice), fuji musician Muri Thunder, Sound Sultan, Ras Kimono, KWAM 1, Femi and Seun among others.

Also at the event, the President, Association of Nollywood Core Producers, Mr. Alex Eyengho, stated that the subsidy removal was anti-people. He explained that the group was prepared to support Nigerians to reject the hike in fuel price.

Eyengho said, ‘‘He who the gods want to kill they first make mad. That is what we are witnessing in the President’s decision. When the song changes the dance steps must change too. We are changing our dance steps.’’

Also, News Agency of Nigeria reported that the artistes said they would produce a movie on fuel subsidy to depict the effect of the removal on the people.

Kosoko told NAN that a script writer had already been commissioned to work on the project.

“We feel the pains like other Nigerians. We will shoot a film to let the government know how the people feel and how they are suffering.

“And that is why we are appealing to the government to reverse the decision,’’ he said.

Oshodi-Oke and Femi stressed the need for the current development, including protests, to be documented in films.

 PUNCH

Occupynigeria: Day 1 of strike

Apologies for not posting since the strike began. We had to #Occupynigeria. Nigeria was on fire today! The masses went out in their thousands to protest peacefully, but alas the Nigerian Police won’t let them be. They were accused of shooting a protester dead today in Ogba, Lagos state in a peaceful protest. The man we learnt begged for his life, but was shot in the long run. And many more causalities were recorded today. Pictures of him when you continue.

                            One of the pictures of Ademola, the handsome man before his death



Had to remove the naked pic when you guys asked me too



Rubbin Minds this Sunday features 2face Idibia, Banky W, Funmi Iyanda and others

This Sunday on a special edition of Rubbin’ Minds, the leading national TV show for young Nigerians to discuss issues of national interest, has announced its special #OccupyNigeria edition this weekend in a nod to the #FuelSubsidyRemoval protests that have swept across the nation. Rubbin’ Minds shows on Channels Television every Sunday at 3pm.

This special edition will run for 90 minutes instead of our usual 60 minutes.

With the topic “Shall we Occupy?”, the show will investigate the current nationwide protests by Nigerians over the fuel subsidy removal, looking at the source of the searing anger, the growth of “buyer remorse” over the president, the ability of the protests to spread across the country, remarkable incidents including the march in Lagos and the 10-hour occupation in Kano, the planned strike action and protest on Monday called by the Nigeria Labour Congress and the future of these civil actions.

The show will be divided into two distinct sections: in the first section, we will have a panel of celebrities discuss their feelings about #OccupyNigeria and the state of the nation. These guests include Africa’s biggest pop act, 2face Idibia; Seun Anikulapo-Kuti; singer and activist Banky W; rapper and designer Sasha; rapper and producer Eldee; actress Omoni Oboli; singers Sound Sultan and Timi Dakolo, and others.

The second section will have young Nigerian activists and leaders who are involved in the protests and are leading the charge: including Executive Director of Paradigm Initiative Nigeria ‘Gbenga Sesan; Executive Director of EnoughisEnough Nigeria, Yemi Adamolekun; public affairs commentators Akintunde Oyebode and Sewedo Nupowaku and others. Driving the conversation will be the presenters Chude Jideonwo and Lydia Sobogun.

Also joining the discussion by phone are the Minister of Youth Development and Sports, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, and ICT entrepreneur Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, who supports the subsidy removal at this time.  

The special show will be hosted by Funmi Iyanda, award-winning TV personality, entrepreneur and founder of the Change-A-Life Foundation.

Rubbin’ Minds shows on Channels TV on terrertial television and DSTV Channel 134 on cable. It can also be watched online via http://ynaija.com/rubbin-minds/ or www.channelstv.com and there is a repeat broadcast at 4am on Monday. Follow the show on Twitter and Facebook through @YNaija and the #RubbinMinds hashtag.