While the Federal Government is planning a low-key Independence Day anniversary celebration, the EndBadGovernance protest organizers have also concluded plans to stage protests across the country.
Leading reporters reports that for the second time after President Bola Tinubu took over the leadership mantle in 2023, the FG on Thursday, September 26 announced that the October 1 Independence Day would be on a low key basis due to the mood of the nation.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Senator George Akume told newsmen that President Tinubu’s government was aware of and sympathized with all Nigerians over the economic conditions they were passing through, hence the treason for a low-key celebration.
However, some activists clamouring to end bad governance in Nigeria are seeing the event as a fertile ground to continue their protest against the high cost of living and other lingering challenges bedeviling the nation.
Economic hardship
For most Nigerians, the economic situation of the country has aggravated to an unbearable stage.
Leading reporters reports that currently, there is no end in sight to the untoward hardship imposed on Nigerians from May 2023 after President Bola Tinubu announced the removal of fuel subsidy.
On Friday, September 27, the National Bureau of Statistics revealed that the prices of Beans, Rice, Bread, Egg have continued to rise across the country.
NBS, in its data, indicated that one Kilogram of Beans rose by 271.55 percent on a year-on-year basis to N2,574.63 in August 2024 from N692.95 recorded the same period last year.
Also on a month-on-month basis, the price of Beans increased to 5.31 percent to N2,444.81 in July 2024.
According to NBS, the average price of 1kg Local rice sold loose went up by 148.41 percent from N 737.11 in August 2023 to N1,831.05 in August 2024, while there was an increase of 3.65 percent on a month-on-month basis.
It also stated that the price of medium size eggs (12 pieces) experienced significant price increases by N121.92 percent from N1,031.55 in August of last year to N2,289.19 in August 2024.
Our correspondent gathered on Saturday that the price of a 50kg bag of rice has jerked up to about N100,000.
