The Coalition of Civil Society Organizations and Labour Centre has called for understanding from Nigerians over the harsh economic realities of the fuel subsidy removal which is affecting all and sundry.<\/p>\n
The group stated further that they should recognized that the removal of fuel subsidy is a bitter pill which we all have to swallow in order to stop the hemorrhaging of the Nigerian state.<\/span><\/p>\n Comrade Razak Olokoba stated this in his welcome address and opening remarks during a town hall meeting on the state of the nation and sundry matters and the way forward for the collective benefits of our people.<\/span><\/p>\n He commended President Bola Tinubu, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and other state Governors for the policy thrust of their governments in addressing the pains being experienced by Nigerians in the aftermath of the removal of fuel subsidy. <\/span><\/p>\n Full text of the town hall meeting below:<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n Subject: COALITION OF CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS\/LABOUR CENTRE TOWN HALL MEETING COMMUNIQUE<\/span><\/p>\n COALITION OF CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS\/LABOUR CENTRE<\/span><\/p>\n Being the communiqu\u00e9 from a one day town hall meeting on the state of the nation and sundry national matters convoked by Coalition of Civil Society Organizations and Labour Centre holding on Tuesday 1st August<\/span><\/p>\n 2023 in Lagos.<\/span><\/p>\n The town hall meeting had in attendance representatives of the below mentioned organizations, affiliates, associates and the media.<\/span><\/p>\n Attendance<\/span><\/p>\n 1.\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>Razak Olokoba\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>Campaign for Dignity in Governance<\/span><\/p>\n 2.\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>Nelson Ekujumi\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>Centre for Social and Economic Rights<\/span><\/p>\n 3.\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>Titi Akosa\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>Centre for 21st Century Issues<\/span><\/p>\n 4.\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>Linus Okoroji\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>Humanity Services Project<\/span><\/p>\n 5.\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>Raji Rasheed Oyewunmi\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>Yoruba Citizen Action for Change<\/span><\/p>\n 6.\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>Hamed Balogun\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>Frontliner Economy and Social Research Centre<\/span><\/p>\n 7.\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>Jubril Ogundimu\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>Oodua Revolutionary Front<\/span><\/p>\n 8.\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>Gbenga Soloki\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>Campaign Against Impunity and Domestic Violence<\/span><\/p>\n 9.\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>Razaq Oladosu\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>Grassroots Democratic Initiative<\/span><\/p>\n 10.\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>Alex Omotehinse\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>Centre for Human and Socio-economic Rights<\/span><\/p>\n 11.\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>Awakulu Galadima\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>Northern Integrity Forum<\/span><\/p>\n 12.\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>Ramat Abdulrazak\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>Women Grassroot Network<\/span><\/p>\n 13.\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>HRM Sola Olatunde\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>Oodua Youth Movement<\/span><\/p>\n 14.\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>Ramat Abdulrazak\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>National Union of Market Men and Women<\/span><\/p>\n 15.\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>Ramat Abdullahi\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>Centre for Promotion of Work Ethics and Values<\/span><\/p>\n 16.\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>Oliseh Charles\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>Labour Veterans<\/span><\/p>\n 17.\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>Raheem Akeem\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>Fmr. President Trade Union Congress (TUC)<\/span><\/p>\n 18.\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>Princess Abidemi Dosumu\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>Salamotu Dosumu Skills Acquisition<\/span><\/p>\n foundation For Women and Underprivileged<\/span><\/p>\n 19.\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>Funso Mojuba\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>Yoruba Unity Network<\/span><\/p>\n 20.\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>Akin Abosanyin\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>Yoruba Interactive Network\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n 21.\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>Alhaji Taofeek Adeyemi\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>Oodua Peoples Congress (Reform)<\/span><\/p>\n The town hall meeting started at 11am with the rendition of the national anthem followed by opening prayer.<\/span><\/p>\n Comrade Razak Olokoba gave the welcome address and opening remarks in welcoming all to the town hall meeting on the state of the nation and sundry matters and the way forward for the collective benefits of our<\/span><\/p>\n people.<\/span><\/p>\n Comrade Razak Olokoba called for understanding from Nigerians over the<\/span><\/p>\n harsh economic realities which is affecting all and sundry and recognized that the removal of fuel subsidy is a bitter pill which we all have to swallow in order to stop the hemorrhaging of the Nigerian state.<\/span><\/p>\n He commended President Bola Tinubu, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and other state Governors for the policy thrust of their governments in addressing the pains being experienced by Nigerians in the aftermath of the removal of fuel subsidy.<\/span><\/p>\n He welcomed all to the meeting and wished the participants fruitful deliberations.<\/span><\/p>\n The meeting then devolved into presentations by the various groups present and state as follows:<\/span><\/p>\n –\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>That the removal of fuel subsidy is necessary and inevitable to save<\/span><\/p>\n the Nigerian state from economic comatose<\/span><\/p>\n –\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>That the humongous funds $30 billion dollars being expended on fuel<\/span><\/p>\n subsidy amounts to a rip off of the Nigerian people<\/span><\/p>\n –\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>That the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration should be<\/span><\/p>\n commended for the bold economic decision of removing fuel subsidy in<\/span><\/p>\n the collective interest of the Nigerian people in the long run<\/span><\/p>\n –\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>That it\u2019s a fact that Nigerians are going through economic hardship<\/span><\/p>\n as a result of this policy, but they must show understanding with the<\/span><\/p>\n mindset\u00a0 <\/span>that the pains they are presently going through, is the<\/span><\/p>\n temporary sacrifice that they have to make for a better future<\/span><\/p>\n –\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>That we acknowledge that in less than two months after the removal<\/span><\/p>\n of fuel subsidy, Nigeria has started reaping the gains in terms of<\/span><\/p>\n savings of about one trillion naira to the national coffers which<\/span><\/p>\n could have been frittered away.<\/span><\/p>\n –\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>That the palliatives put in place to soothe the temporary pains<\/span><\/p>\n being experienced as a result of the removal of fuel subsidy must be<\/span><\/p>\n monitored by civil society organizations to enhance transparency and<\/span><\/p>\n accountability.<\/span><\/p>\n –\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>That we commend Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos state for his<\/span><\/p>\n policy statements and measures put in place to addressing the economic<\/span><\/p>\n plight of Lagosians<\/span><\/p>\n –\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>That as we call for patience and understanding from Nigerians to be<\/span><\/p>\n patient and persevere, our leaders at all levels of government must<\/span><\/p>\n also cut down on the cost of governance<\/span><\/p>\n –\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>That government at all tiers should put in place social protection<\/span><\/p>\n policy for vulnerable citizens in line with global best practices.<\/span><\/p>\n –\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>That Nigerians should be wary of people and groups who want to make<\/span><\/p>\n political capital out of their economic situation through propaganda<\/span><\/p>\n of lies and mischief to mislead and incite<\/span><\/p>\n –\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>That Nigerians paid a heavy price for the installation of this<\/span><\/p>\n democracy through sweat, limb and blood and would deploy all and any<\/span><\/p>\n legitimate means to defend and sustain it.<\/span><\/p>\n –\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>That Nigerians will resist any attempt to undermine this democracy<\/span><\/p>\n through any undemocratic means using the instrumentality of the rule<\/span><\/p>\n of law as expressed in the fundamental right to peaceful assembly and<\/span><\/p>\n rallies by citizens.<\/span><\/p>\n The town hall meeting resolved as follow:<\/span><\/p>\n –\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is commended for the bold economic<\/span><\/p>\n decision of removing fuel subsidy<\/span><\/p>\n –\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>The economic inconvenience of fuel subsidy removal is affecting all<\/span><\/p>\n strata of the Nigerian society.<\/span><\/p>\n –\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>The gains of the removal of fuel subsidy has started manifesting in<\/span><\/p>\n increased savings of an unprecedented one trillion naira within two<\/span><\/p>\n months and thus government has more funds to deliver democratic<\/span><\/p>\n dividends to the citizenry.<\/span><\/p>\n –\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is commended for his presidential<\/span><\/p>\n broadcast and the measures he has outlined to address the economic<\/span><\/p>\n inconvenience occasioned by fuel subsidy removal<\/span><\/p>\n –\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>Nigerians are enjoined to show understanding and patience on this<\/span><\/p>\n matter with the optimism that the fuel subsidy removal aftermath is a<\/span><\/p>\n temporary sacrifice to pay for a better and enduring future<\/span><\/p>\n –\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>The three tiers of government must put in place social safety<\/span><\/p>\n mechanism to alleviate the conditions of the vulnerable in line with<\/span><\/p>\n global best practices<\/span><\/p>\n –\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span>The palliatives and other measures put in place to address the<\/span><\/p>\n