October 1 Protest: Ogun Governor’s Plea to Organizers

The Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, on Sunday, called on the organisers of the planned October 1 Fearless protest to reconsider their demonstration and instead engage with the Federal Government to address their concerns.

The governor emphasized that the subsidy removal policy implemented by President Bola Tinubu’s administration would help save Nigeria a substantial N5.4 trillion by the end of 2024.

The governor spoke during the Special Church Service commemorating Nigeria’s 64th National Day celebration, held at the Cathedral Church of St. Peter, Ake, Abeokuta, calling on Nigerians to engage with the FG constructively and not join those fanning the flames of discord, said that protests would not achieve anything other than looting and vandalism of public properties.

“Let us be resilient, let us continue to pray, let us persevere, and let us hold on to our faith in Almighty God.

“Let us not join those who continue to fan the flames of discord in our land, and those who are calling for protests, violence, and civil disobedience, which only leads to vandalism, looting, and destruction of public property.

“Let us engage constructively and work with the government, knowing that this administration is an inclusive one,” he said.

The Governor also disclosed that his administration would continue to implement measures to cushion the effects of the present realities, stating that his administration has deployed CNG buses, started energy transition programs with the launching of e-bikes, reduced workdays for civil servants from five to three days, and provided free medical services for the poor and the elderly, among other initiatives.

He noted that his administration would soon be completing its farmers’ markets across the four zones of the state, adding that the state government’s Gateway Trading Company, where food items would be sold at wholesale prices, would soon begin operation.

“We will soon complete our farmers’ markets across the four zones of the state, where food items will be sold at affordable prices.

“Very soon, you will see our Gateway Trading Company that will start selling different items in different zones across the four zones of the state at wholesale prices. We will continue these types of initiatives to cushion the effects of the current realities,” he said.

He added that the citizens must be hopeful for a better Ogun State and Nigeria as a whole.

The only Bible reading of the service was read from the book of 2 Corinthians, Chapter 11, Verses 16-31 by Governor Dapo Abiodun.