Among the many Nigerians who took to the streets in protest of hardship and high living costs on Thursday was Benjamin Chijioke. During an interview with a Channels TV reporter, he boldly stated, “I would rather face death on the streets than in the confines of my home. I refuse to sit idly by and watch my son’s future slip away. While my own prospects in Nigeria may be dim, I am determined that my son’s future will not be squandered.”
Chijioke’s sentiments echo the frustrations and resolve of numerous Nigerians who have chosen to voice their grievances through street protests.
At the protest site in Lagos State, Chijioke disclosed that he had journeyed solo from Festac to Mile 2 to participate in the demonstration, emphasizing how the current economic challenges are impacting his family, particularly his talented teenage son.
“I have a 13-year-old son who is proficient in programming, yet I struggle to afford data for his learning and the exorbitant tuition fees amounting to millions. Despite his skills in programming video games at such a young age, I can barely support his pursuits,” Chijioke lamented.
Prior to this, other protesters had declared their intent to persist with the demonstrations until their demands are met by President Bola Tinubu. They urged the president to take necessary actions, affirming that the protests would cease once their demands were addressed.
During a press briefing in Abuja, Damilare Adenola, the Director of Mobilisation at the Take It Back Movement, expressed discontent with the prolonged oppression experienced under the president’s governance.
“The series of court restrictions confining protesters to specific zones are unacceptable. Today’s gathering signifies our collective stand against enduring oppression. We are sending a clear message to the president that unless he meets our demands, we will persist on the streets demanding accountability. We demand his visible presence amongst the protesters,” Adenola remarked.