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Hunger Protests Paralyse Commercial Activities In Lagos, Rivers, Kaduna, Others
Nationwide protests against hunger and bad governance erupted across Nigeria, yesterday, as citizens vent their frustration over the country’s prevailing economic hardship.
While many demonstrations were peaceful, pockets of violence were reported in various regions as the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protest entered Day One, yesterday.
The nationwide protest, which aims to address various socio-economic grievances, brought economic activities in Lagos, Rivers, Kaduna, Kano and many other States to a near standstill.
In Lagos State, traders observed their weekly sanitation exercise which is held every Thursday and ends by 10 am.
In what coincided with the commencement of the protest, the usually bustling markets in the state remained shut after the exercise.
Major markets in Ikotun, Egbeda, Iyana Ipaja, Dopemu, and Akowonjo, Ayobo were all shut.
There was also a similar sight in the Ikeja and Agege and Ojota areas of the state.
A few traders were however seen loitering around the market areas, anticipating the turn of events, while some residents were seen clustered around their communities, discussing the developments.
Banks and filling stations were also closed down in these areas.
Meanwhile, heavy security presence was sighted along these areas as they were seen manning strategic locations.
The protest tagged, “Days of Rage” would hold nationwide from August 1 to 10.
In Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, a large number of protesters converged opposite the Federal Secretariat, Port Harcourt as early as 9am. They, thereafter, marched to the Government House, Port Harcourt, where the State Governor, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, addressed them.
While addressing the protesters in front of Government House, Fubara said, “I thank you for being peaceful. I thank you for coming. I feel your pain. I want to assure you that I will deliver your message to the President.
“Here in Rivers State, we will do everything to make life better. But all we need from you is to support the Federal Government. We know there is hunger but just be patient with the government.”
Some of the protesters who spoke to newsmen called on President Bola Tinubu to address the grievances of the protesters.
They decried the excruciating hardship in the country and called for a return to the fuel subsidy regime.
The police were also seen at strategic locations across the city.
Major streets in Port Harcourt were deserted due to the protest.
The popular Oil Mill market was deserted while others areas such as First and Second Artillery witnessed low activities. Similarly low activities were witnessed at the popular Mile One market.
Our correspondent who moved round the city also observed that most commercial enterprises such as banks and filling stations were shut, while a handful of civil servants turned up for work at the state Secretariat.
Major roads such as the Aba-Port Harcourt Express Road witnessed low traffic as few commercial and private vehicles were seen on the road.
At Artillery, some protesters were seen displaying the Nigerian flag.
There was, however, a twist to the protest when some Keke drivers at the Location Junction in Port Harcourt blocked the road and brought out N200 and N100 notes and teared them to show the worthlessness of the Nigerian currency.
In Kaduna, the protests which began peacefully around the popular NEPA roundabout in the metropolis, turned violent as the protesters attempted to force themselves into the Sir Kashim Ibrahim Government House.
But the protesters vandalised government property including the office of the Kaduna State Traffic Law Enforcement Agency along the Sokoto Road in the heart of the state.
Part of the office was burnt while furniture and some property in the office were carted away leading to the arrest of 25 protesters
The Kaduna State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, Mansir Hassan, ASP, said those arrested attempted to hijack a peaceful protest.
According to the spokesman, the protesters had been instructed to submit their details to ensure a peaceful demonstration.
“However, some elements within the group defied this directive and turned violent, attempting to breach the Government House and damaging a police armoured vehicle,” he said.
The Chief of Staff to the Governor, Sani Kila, who visited the scene said, “We have gone round the state and all is calm.”
He also denied the imposition of a 24-hour-curfew in the state as reported by some media.
In Kano State, hoodlums looted the newly built Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC) Industrial Park just days before its scheduled launch.
The Digital Innovation Park, designed to support Nigeria’s technical talent accelerator program (3MTT), was reportedly set ablaze and looted during the protests.
Photos circulating online show youths leaving the scene with looted items, including computers, furniture, and electronics.
The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani, who confirmed the incident, lamented the destruction of the technology hub.
“Sad to learn that our Digital Innovation Park in Kano slated for launch next week to support our technical talent accelerator (3MTT) has been set ablaze and looted by protesters,” Tijani stated in a post via X, yesterday.
Tijani highlighted the immediate impact of this destruction on the planned initiatives.
“Alongside #3MTT, this building is set to host our buildathon holiday maker programme for secondary school kids starting next week,” he added.
The minister characterised the damage as a setback for the journey to deepening the workforce for technology and creating job opportunities for the youth.
“Millions of Naira down the drain,” Tijani lamented.
In Calabar, Cross River State, several journalists and activists were beaten, handcuffed, and taken by security agents to unknown locations in the State.
The Managing Editor of an online newspaper, CrossRiverWatch, Mr Jonathan Ugbal, was among the arrested journalists.
It was gathered that they were taken by security personnel, along with other activists who engaged in a peaceful protest to an undisclosed location.
The journalists were following some activists around the popular Mary Slessor Roundabout in Calabar, where a handful of protesters had gathered to commence the 10-day nationwide protest.
While monitoring the protest, Ugbal had allegedly posted a video in the morning showing that the surrounding roads to the Mary Slessor Roundabout were deserted.
In a rare display of youthful activism, children aged 8-13 and youths took to the streets of Jalingo in Taraba State to protest the prevailing hardships.
The children chanted, “Bamu ai, bamu ai,” which translates to “We don’t agree, we don’t agree,” to draw attention to the challenges they are going through.
The protest began on the popular Hamaruwa Way and proceeded towards the flyover bridge, a notable landmark in the city.
The participants, primarily children and teenagers, were vocal about their grievances, demanding immediate action to alleviate their suffering.
The protesters were closely monitored by personnel from the police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
However, the nationwide protest suffered a setback in the South East as Igbos shunned the hunger protest. Instead, they opted for a sit-at-home
In Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Imo and Enugu States, many residents stayed indoors as there was no unusual assembly of people and protests, even though some shops were closed, including banks.
The boycott was in compliance with the directives of the Pan-Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, that the South East should stay away from the protests.
In Enugu State, for instance, residents observed the nationwide anti-hardship and misgovernance protest through sit-at-home.
The Tide source who went round the state capital reports that economic and social activities were paralysed as residents deserted roads.
Shops, petrol stations, malls, and event centres were completely shut down as of 10.am.
Although entrance gates of major markets in Enugu such as Ogbete Main Market, New Market, Abakpa Market, and Emene Market were thrown open, there was nobody in those markets.
At ShopRite and SPAR Market, only security operatives were seen moving around.
At Okpara Square, only fierce-looking soldiers and policemen were seen occupying the entrance and road leading into the square.
While the gate of Enugu State High Court was open, no worker was inside except two security men at the entrance gate. At the Federal High Court, the gate was under lock and key.
Commending the Igbo people worldwide for their steadfast support and adherence to the decision to abstain from the nationwide protests, the Secretary-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, in a statement yesterday, said, “We, the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, wish to express our profound gratitude to all Igbos at home and in the diaspora for their unwavering commitment to the decision to boycott the nationwide protests.
“The South East region has shown remarkable unity and resilience in standing against external pressures and manipulations aimed at using the Igbo as sacrificial lambs for selfish political agenda.
“The South-East’s total compliance with the directive to abstain from the protests is a testament to the newfound sense of unity and determination among Ndigbo to put an end to the systematic manipulation and exploitation by certain unpatriotic elements and privileged elite.”
However, top government personalities, groups, and religious bodies, including the Christian Association of Nigeria, the Muslim Student Society of Nigeria (Lagos chapter), and the Muslim Rights Concern, and several other stakeholders in the country have called for the cancellation of the protest, citing a palpable fear that it might be hijacked by infiltrators who do not mean well for the country.
Boye Salau & John Bibor
My-ACE China, known as the Mayor of Housing, has won the 2024 Man of the Year. The award was announced by board of trustees of the DMOMA Awards Academy in Port Harcourt at the week.
The organisers also declared his company, the Construction and Housing Mayor Limited as the brand promoter of the year, the third in a row.
The award ceremony which was held at the Arena Event centre in the GRA area of Port Harcourt was attended by several dignitaries in the society.
The organisers led by Dr. Ezebunwo Nyeche (chairman) and Stephen Chidiebere Okoye (Awards organizer) said in a statement that China was picked for his support and impact to small and medium enterprises in Rivers State, his media footsteps and his consistent propagation and promotion of Rivers State.
They noted that China won over 10 prestigious awards in 2024 alone on his track to promote Port Harcourt as a brand destination and Rivers as a peaceful state.
Handing the award to China, the organisers said the Mayor of Housing always comes to the rescue of events that aim to promote Rivers State, saying the DMOMA Awards would be held in two more cities in 2025.
Responding, Mr China said there is need for more sponsorship of talents in Port Harcourt and the Niger Delta, saying what they lacked was support.
“There is more talent in Port Harcourt but there is more support in Lagos to artistes than in Port Harcourt. So, the top talents in Port Harcourt work 10 times harder than those in Lagos to attract sponsorship.”
He also said Nigeria has a treasure base which is Port Harcourt but that the treasure is not oil and gas but talents. He said he was highly elated to win the of Man of the Year Award with his firm winning brand of the year.
In an interview, My-ACE China said he was particularly impressed with the diligence demonstrated by the organisers and the processes they used to pick winners every year.
He also said the victory showed attention paid by the organisers to unveil the personality behind the corporate masquerade, not just focusing on the company. “It actually reaffirms one of my quotes that a brand can only grow as big as the character of the visioner behind it.”
On his plans to help Port Harcourt compete with Lagos, China said 2025 will meet him doing things with the youths of Rivers State to push the Port Harcourt brand in the social media and rally the traditional press to create a positive narrative of Rivers State beyond violence and political negativity.
“The Garden City has not been enjoying the best of media perception for some years now but this is the first time we have a governor committed to non-political bias in doing his work. He does not consider whether you are a member of his party or not before doing what is right. For the first time, we have a true father of the state to all, and he has been diligently following the blueprint that stakeholders developed at the last Rivers Economic and Investment Summit, making sure he is doing it without political cronyism.”
He said his company would be building the biggest estate and the best, the ‘Alesa Sustainable Smart City, to move from brand perception to brand experience so as to move Rivers State to the next level.
He appealed to entrepreneurs not to be carried away by the old perception but to join the new way. “Position yourself because there is going to be a boom. People are rushing into Port Harcourt and new entrants may take the ground. Think expansion not contraction, think investment not divestment. Else, you miss it.”
To fellow estate investors, he admonished them to gear up for regulation. “It is no longer going to be business as usual especially for land peddling and land grabbing. Try to grow up because tangible development is going to take over.
“It is no longer going to be who sells the most land but who develops the most houses. The housing deficit in the land requires effective land development strategies. Any serious land seller should grow into a housing developer because developments are going to be coming into Rivers State and a lot of people are coming into the state.”
He said those that have grown to be developers will be many times richer than those that are just starting or are mere land sellers and peddlers. People should also position themselves because all the foreign investments and local ones will take advantage of this influx.
“The value of influx is coming, so prepare and take advantage. Be one of those that are big enough to take advantage. Remaining small will not be good but grow big in your products, in your services, because the market is going to grow big.”
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has expressed shock and sadness over the death of a former military governor of the State, Major-General Godwin Osagie Abbe (rtd).
Late Abbe, who hails from Edo State, was military governor of Rivers State between August, 1990 and January, 1992.
Governor Fubara described late Gen Abbe as one leader who dedicated himself to the service and wellbeing of Rivers people and humanity during his administration in the State, saying that the death of the distinguished military officer, politician and administrator was a very huge loss to the State, the Niger Delta, and indeed, the entire country, having traversed the length and breath of the nation in the cause of his military and political careers.
“On behalf of my family, the Government and good people of Rivers State, I condole with the family of the Abbes, the Edo people, and the Nigerian military on the demise of this colossus, whose contributions to the unity, peace and development of the nation are legendary.
“While we mourn his painful exit at this difficult time, we pray for the eternal repose of his soul, and urge the family to take solace in the fact that late Gen Abbe lived a fulfilled life in the service of his fatherland.”
Wife of Rivers State Governor, Lady Valerie Siminalayi Fubara, has noted with delight that Rivers children are well behaved, and has admonished them to remain supportive of their parents while striving always to make a difference wherever they find themselves.
Lady Fubara gave the counsel at the 2024 Christmas Children Party, attended by children from the 23 Local Government Areas of the State, including non-indigenes, at Government House in Port Harcourt on Thursday.
The Christmas Children Party also witnessed the presence of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who stopped over to share moments with them, walking from one canopy to another, waving at them, and at other times, shaking hands with them to leave lasting memories on them.
The Rivers First Lady pointed to the importance of the celebration of Christmas, which draws attention to the birth of Jesus Christ, demanding that people have a deep reflection of the love that is demonstrated and mission of the birth, which is to redeem mankind.
Lady Fubara recalled how she took out time to visit the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital and the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, where she appreciated God for safe delivery of children born on Christmas day while felicitating with the nursing mothers.
She also stated the valuable time spent with motherless babies when she visited the Port Harcourt Children’s Home in Borikiri, old Port Harcourt Township, and celebrated their meekness, innocence and the beauty they bring to the world.
She said, “Even today, as we continue the celebration, efforts were made to extend invitation to our children in all the 23 local government areas of our State. In doing this, children from all classes of society, including the physically challenged, have been offered the opportunity to sit together as brothers and sisters, play, eat and dance.
“Whilst contemplating the uniqueness of celebrating Christmas on a Boxing Day, steps were equally taken to provide gifts for the children who are there, and also to pray for them, a qualitative fun session that will last in their memories.”
Lady Fubara advised all children in the State to remember that Jesus came into the world to make a difference, advising that they must emulate him so that they can positively impact their families and society.
She urged them to pray fervently to God to bless and prosper their mothers, daddies, aunties and uncles to better cater to their needs.
She added, “Be humble, obedient and supportive at home. Do household chores, and don’t forget to make excellent grades in school next academic session. Children are the joy of every home, and we are glad to have beautiful, well-behaved children in Rivers State.
“Thank you all for witnessing this 2024 Children’s Party, and I pray God Almighty to protect, shield and keep you safe from all negative companies in the name of Jesus. I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous 2025. God bless you all,” she said.
Lady Fubara expressed appreciation to her husband and Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, for his absolute commitment to the growth of children, and the immeasurable support that ensured that Christmas Children Party was a success.
There were performances by Virtue Dancers, Kalabari Iria dancers, Wonder Time Children of Opobo Kingdom, Children of Rivers State Council of Arts and Culture, Diseye the Poet and DJ Arnold.