Occupy Nigeria: ‘Don’t Betray Our Trust’ Celebs Tell GEJ

Baba Suwe and Kunle Afolayan

‘Day 3 and We Are Not Leaving until Goodluck Answers Us’ read a poster a young boy carried yesterday, Wednesday, January 11, 2012 at the Gani Fawehinmi Park, Ojota Lagos, on the third day of the on-going Labour strike in reaction to the removal of Fuel subsidy in the country which took effect January 1, 2012.
Just like DAY 1, people gathered en masse to show support for the strike. Tens of thousands…
If anybody thought the attendance at the park on DAY 2 would probably be the highest, they will be surprised to see the number tripled. Yes, tens of thousands occupied the park eager to be heard as each person’s face bore its own frustrated look.
And as expected more celebs and dignitaries made their way to stage to either sing or encourage the crowd or do both…actors, singers, lawyers, doctors…you name it.
‘I never thought Nigerians can stand up against insensitive decisions. We trusted you, that’s why we voted for you, don’t betray our trust Goodluck’, Baba Suwe told the crowd.
The park which was already half-filled as at 9AM kept accommodating protesters as they strolled in even after noon. It was a busier affair at the park; some protesters carrying ‘made-up coffins’ with inscriptions on them, touts causing trouble at different places, food sellers setting up their goods, offering a quick meal, and marijuana sellers making big sales.
Actors Ayo Badmaus, Kunle Afolayan, Yomi Black, Toyin Aihmaku, Babtunde Omidina a.k.a Baba Suwe, Afrobeat acts Femi and Seun Kuti, Sir Shina Peters, pop singers AY.com, YQ, Skuki, Djinee, Fuji acts Saheed Osupa, Obesere, comedians Klint da drunk, Seyi Law and Princess are some of the entertainers who showed up at the protest on day 3.
Others include Segun Obe, Oritse Femi, Omobaba, Zee world, Klever Jay, Art-Quake, and Daddy Fresh who mingled with union leaders, pastors, Imams and lawyers on stage. Pastor Tunde Bakare, Chief Imam of Lagos State, Sheikh Garuba Ibrahim popular lawyers Festus Keyamo, Bamidele Aturu also made appearances.
In other parts of Lagos, at the Tafawa Balewa square, and at Falomo on Lagos island, Occupy Nigeria protesters also gathered in their thousands, all sending out same message to the federal government of Nigeria: revert the pump price of PMS to N65, cut excessive government spending, and eliminate corruption from the system.
The mass protest is going on simultaneously across the country, including the seat of power in Abuja. Citizens say they plan to continue today, even as a meeting between labour and government ended without any resolutions yesterday, as the federal government insists there’s no going back on the fuel subsidy removal.
There is no sign of the protesters calling it quits soon…