Nigeria may face another total lockdown as Labour begins protest Wednesday

<p>Economic activities in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, and major cities across Nigeria may likely come to a halt starting from Wednesday, August 2, as the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and its affiliate unions will take to the streets to protest against the hike in fuel pump prices, tuition fees increase in public schools, and the Federal government’s refusal to pay 9 months’ withheld salaries of lecturers and workers in universities.</p>, <p>The NLC’s Central Working Committee (CWC), in a statement on July 25, 2023, pronounced that the Congress will kickstart an industrial action on August 2, against what it termed “anti-poor policies of the Federal government.”</p>, <p>The CWC further stated, “We direct all affiliates and state councils (of NLC) to begin immediate mobilization and closely work with associations, individuals, and other entities, including the ones already on the streets, to ensure that the government listens to the people.”</p>, <p>Subsequently, the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of NLC held on July 27 affirmed the decision of the CWC and called on Nigerians to join the Congress on the streets across the country to protect the interest of saving Nigeria from falling into a deeper economic quagmire.</p>, <p>“NEC calls on all civil society organizations and Nigerians, wherever they may be, to begin mobilization to take action on their own to save our nation,” the statement said.</p>, <p>Meanwhile, NLC has taken to its Twitter handle on Sunday, calling on Nigerians: “Come out en masse; stop the lamentation, be part of the struggle for a better nation.”</p>, <p>In another post titled “Our position on fuel subsidy removal,” NLC stated, “There is nowhere in the world where the government leaves its citizens totally at the vagaries of the market without some measures of control and protection.</p>, <p>The Federal Government should, therefore, deal decisively with the criminal content of the subsidy instead of exposing ordinary citizens to avoidable pain and hardship.”</p>, <p>“As a m