Bauchi Joins NLC Hunger Protest, Demands Better Welfare Package
BY ADEYEMI AKANJI, BAUCHI – Members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Bauchi State chapter on Tuesday joined the national protest against hunger, high cost of living, and economic hardship as directed by the national leadership of organized Labour demanding better living welfare packages.
The agitated NLC members however embarked on the peaceful protest as they trekked from the Secretariat along Railway Road to the Palace of the Emir of Bauchi, Dr Rilwanu Suleiman Adamu.
The protesters also went through the Gwabba-Nassarawa street and linked the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) roundabout to Yakubun Bauchi road before terminating at the Government House.
At the Emir’s Palace, though the NLC Chairman, Comrade Dauda M Shuaibu said that a letter was delivered to the Palace last week, neither the Emir nor any member of the Emirate Council came out to receive them as the NLC chairman declared they would not be deterred from proceeding with the peaceful protest.
Comrade Shuaibu said; “We will wait to hear from the Palace any time before tomorrow to know if we are coming back to the Palace or not”.
At the Government House, the protesters were received by Governor Bala Mohammed, who assured them that he would forward their demands to the appropriate authorities at the top.
The Governor who was represented by his Deputy, Hon Auwal Jatau received the protesters at the gate of the Government House and commended them for the peaceful conduct of the protest in the state and noted that the state government is steadfast in its commitment to alleviating the plight and suffering of its people.
The Governor said; “Your peaceful protest resonates with the concerns of every Nigerian facing the hardships and challenges that have burdened our people. Your voices raise awareness of the struggles, the pain, and the need for immediate action.
“I extend our heartfelt appreciation and gratitude to every one of you for your peaceful approach to expressing your grievances. Your discipline and respect for the rule of law demonstrate a commendable commitment to democracy and civic duty. It is through dialogue that we find solace, understanding, and solutions to the obstacles that lie before us”.
Earlier, the state NLC chairman, Comrade Dauda Shuaibu said the visit was to convey the workers’ and citizens’ displeasure on the increased hardship and insecurity in the land for onward transmission to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and called for immediate action to alleviate the suffering and general insecurity in the country.
He said; “It is important to note that the atmosphere in the country is highly charged, citizens are groaning under intense hardship and pressure, many could not afford to feed their families more than once a day.
“We feel that it is not justifiable to continue to go in this direction without searching for an immediate solution, democracy is all about the people. The needs and plight of citizens must be attended to, once they are voiced out, it is the only way to ensure the sustenance of the system and uphold the tenets of our democracy.
The N30,000 National Minimum Wage is now ridiculous, as it could not purchase half a bag of maize or rice talk more of other necessities of life or family needs,” he said.
The protesters were accompanied by combined security personnel comprising Police, NSCDC, and DSS as well as other uniformed personnel.
