AFRICA

Businesses Closed in Ibadan Amid Nationwide Protest

Members of various Coaliton of Civil Societies organizations and groups in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, yesterday joined their counterparts all over the country to protest against widespread hunger and scarcity of essential commodities.

One of the protests started in front of the University of Ibadan a few hours ago, while another one started at Iwo Road.

Another protest started at Mokola Roundabout, while another one started at Dugbe. One of the protesting groups passed through the University of Ibadan, Bodija and Secretariat Road.

The procession that started at Mokola Roundabout passed through University College Hospital (UCH), Total Garden and Agodi Gate.

The protesting groups passed through major areas of the ancient city.

While the protest was peaceful it however resulted in closure of many shops within the city, while major markets were closed and streets deserted in some areas.

A handful of workers reported for duties at the Oyo state government secretariat, Agodi with heavily armed security agent on standby

Popular markets and business stores in the ancient city such as Bodija, Oje, Ojoo, Adelabu market, Orita challenge, and Iwo road among others were closed for business activities.

Most of the markets were strictly put under lock and key.The affected markets include, popular Ojoo market,Agodi Motor Spare Parts market, Bodija market Adelabu Market, Iwo road electronic market, Alesinloye markets and cattle market in Akinyele

Banks were also seen offering skeletal services while gates of some other banks in the Iwo road area were under lock and key.

The youth who commenced the protest peacefully took to major streets of Bodija -UI road, Iwo road, Mokola and Secretariat road among others in Ibadan, the capital city of Oyo State, to demand an end to the crippling issues of hunger and poor governance that has gripped the nation.

The protests train which comprised majorly of youths displayed placards with inscriptions such as, Enough of Hunger, “Restore subsidy” proceeded from the Challenge roundabout in Ibadanland Southwest local government to Molete, Agodi Gate and Iwo road where they were joined by other protesters.

One of the protesters who identified himself as Buhari, while addressing the people at the popular Mokola roundabout, said the protest became imperative noting the prevailing hunger in the Country.

According to him, “The nation is at the brink of collapse. Nothing works again. The poverty index is increasing geometrically. The subsidy removal has brought more pains than gains. The government is insensitive to the plights of the masses.Tinubu has eight days during which the protests will last to address the lingering economic crisis.”

A human rights activist, Abiodun Bamgboye, who spoke with journalists, insisted that the protest would last for 10 days.

Bamgboye, speaking on behalf of the group that started its protest at the University of Ibadan, urged residents of the state to prepare for the 10-day protest.

He said, “This protest is going to last for ten days. We understand that many Nigerians live from hand to mouth. We understand that the majority of our youths have no means of survival. Today, we want our people to prepare. The protest today is just a dressing rehearsal.

“We are converging at the front of the University of Ibadan today and we are aware that other groups are currently at Mokola Roundabout, Iwo Road, Challenge and Dugbe. We will march and sensitise the people on our demands on a daily basis.”

Kemi Olaitan