News
#NigeriaAt64: Protesters Gather In Lagos, Abuja Over High Living Costs

As Nigeria celebrates 64 years of independence from British colonial rule on Tuesday, thousands of citizens gathered in the nation’s economic and political capitals, Lagos and Abuja, respectively, to protest high living and energy costs in Africa’s most populous nation.
For them, it is not a time for celebration as they called on President Bola Tinubu’s administration to address the soaring inflation and unprecedented economic hardship in the country.
The October 1, 2024 protest, tagged “FearlessInOctober”, was propagated on social media, some two months after the August #EndBadGovernance protests.
The two demonstrations are synonymous in themes as aggrieved young people demand a reversal of petrol subsidy removal and electricity tariff increase.
On Tuesday, protesters gathered at the Utako area in Abuja, the country’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT), waving the Nigerian Green-White-Green flag and banners with various inscriptions such as “EndBadGovernance”, “DiasporaVoting”, “EndHighLivingCosts”, amongst others.
In Lagos, around the state capital in Ikeja, the situation was the same as youths besieged the popular Ikeja UnderBridge area, with vehicular movement at a standstill on a day already declared a public holiday by the government for the celebration of Nigeria’s independence.
The protesters in Lagos also wielded large-format banners with boldly encrusted statements like, “Hunger Dey”, and “Reverse Anti-People, Neoliberal Policies Of Privatisation, Deregulation and Devaluation of Naira”, among others.

Activist Omoyele Sowore was spotted at the Lagos venue of the rally where he and other demonstrators geared up to march to the iconic and eponymous Gani Fawehinmi Park in the ever-busy Ojota area of Lagos to continue the protest against what they have termed anti-government policies.
Both in Lagos and Abuja, scores of security agents were seen on alert at the protest locations where they maintained a respectable distance from the demonstrators.
Aside from Lagos and Abuja, defiant protesters also gathered in some of Nigeria’s 36 states to trumpet their demands.
The protests were held despite many warnings and dissuations from the government and security agencies.
Critics have faulted Tinubu’s twin policies of petrol subsidy removal and unification of the foreign exchange rates which many Nigerians believed were responsible for the unimaginable inflation and soaring living and energy costs in the country.
Energy costs have more than tripled since Tinubu took up the reins of government on May 29, 2023.
Petrol prices per litre jumped up from around N200 to over N1,000 whilst electricity tariff quadrupled, impacting the manufacturing sector and the pocket of Nigerian households.
During his second Independence Day Anniversary Broadcast on Tuesday, Tinubu pleaded for more patience and time, saying his administration is retooling its economic policies for the good of common Nigerians.
The former Lagos governor sympathised with Nigerians over the economic hardship his reforms might have caused whilst he assured them that his administration had been busy implementing measures to bring down the skyrocketing cost of living.
News
Hon Rotimi Olowo, Chief Zebrudaya alias 4.30, and other top Nigerians for Virtuous Widows Int’l Foundation Awards
Ambassador Ifenyinwa Benice Egbosiuba, the Founder and International President, informed journalists in Lagos that the awards will be presented during an empowerment seminar scheduled for November 22, 2025.

• Ambassador Ifenyinwa Benice Egbosiuba, Founder/International President, addressed the widows during one of their outreach programmes, recently.
The Virtuous Widows International Foundation, a local non-governmental organisation focused on empowering Nigerian widows nationwide, has finalised plans to honour prominent Nigerians with prestigious awards in recognition of their services to humanity, particularly for indigent widows and the less privileged in society.
Ambassador Ifenyinwa Benice Egbosiuba, the Founder and International President, informed journalists in Lagos that the awards will be presented during an empowerment seminar scheduled for November 22, 2025.
The theme of the seminar is “Come, Let’s Build Together,” and it will take place at the auditorium of Queens College, Sabo-Yaba, Lagos.
“During the event, we will recognise men and women who have a passion for helping widows,” she stated.
“We have identified several individuals who will receive awards to appreciate their support, belief in our mission, and understanding of the challenges faced by Nigerian widows.”
When asked about the notable figures receiving the awards, Mrs Toyin Badmus, the NGO’s Vice President, revealed that one of the honorees is Honourable Rotimi Olowo from Somolu Local Government in Lagos State. She emphasised that Hon. Olowo is passionate about assisting the less privileged.
During his tenure as a House of Assembly member representing Somolu, he empowered numerous people and helped thousands of youths, many of whom might have otherwise become vagabonds.
“He provided buses and tricycles for them to operate, giving them meaningful lives,” she explained.
“He has also reached out to physically challenged individuals, touching the lives of women, orphans, and widows.
He has proven himself to be committed to humanitarian service, which is why we have deemed him worthy of this award.
“Another personality on the list is Dr Hamza Al-Mustapha, who has been a strong supporter of the foundation.
“Our board of directors has also selected Chief Chika Okpala (alias ZB 4.30) for his role in the memorable defunct television comedy series ‘New Masquerade’ on NTA.
In the 70s and 80s, he brought joy to many viewers across the country through this program.”
Additionally, Dr Mrs. Oyindamola Obabori, the current principal of Queens College, Yaba, Lagos, will be honoured.
“She has made significant contributions in her capacity, particularly in training young girls at Queens College.
As we know, training women empowers the entire nation, and her leadership has produced many successful individuals.
“Chief (Dr.) Alexander Chika Okafor of Chikason Group of Companies will also receive the prestigious award.
For 17 years, he has consistently uplifted people’s spirits through his philanthropic activities.
Regarding the membership strength of the NGO, Mrs Badmus shared that it started with just nine members and gradually grew to 11, then 21, and 200 at its inception.
“Today, if there are seven million widows in Nigeria, I have five million under our umbrella as members. They come out in large numbers wherever I go, unless I do not call them.
Our membership spans across Nigeria and extends to countries like Ghana, Burkina Faso, Cotonou, Senegal, and Tanzania, all seeking to establish chapters.
However, as the saying goes, ‘charity begins at home’; I have not yet completed outreach in all 36 states of Nigeria due to the challenges of insecurity.”
News
Fubara in closed-door meeting with Wike and Loyalists in Port Harcourt

Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara met with his predecessor and current Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, on Saturday in Port Harcourt for a closed-door discussion. The meeting, held at the residence of elder statesman Chief Ferdinand Alabraba, included several political leaders loyal to Wike and lasted into the early hours of Sunday.
The gathering came shortly after a valedictory session on Wednesday for members of the dissolved Rivers State cabinet, during which Governor Fubara directed commissioners and appointees affected by the Supreme Court ruling on the state’s political crisis to step aside. Eight others unaffected by the ruling have since resumed their duties.
Although the meeting’s specifics were not disclosed, sources indicate that Fubara and Wike are aligning efforts to uphold the peace accord brokered by President Bola Tinubu during the recent six-month emergency rule in Rivers State.
News
Former President Jonathan’s Comments on Boko Haram Were Misrepresented
The point Dr. Jonathan sought to make was that Boko Haram, in its characteristic deceit, often invoked the names of respected public figures to sow confusion, exploit political divisions, and undermine public confidence in government.

The attention of the Office of Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has been drawn to misleading reports circulating in sections of the media suggesting that Dr. Jonathan alleged that Boko Haram nominated the late President Muhammadu Buhari, to represent them in dialogue with the Federal Government, and therefore this made him somehow complicit in the Boko Haram crisis.
In a statement signed by Ikechukwu Eze Special Adviser to the Former President (Media and Public Affairs), he clarified that the former President’s comments were grossly misrepresented.
According to the statement, at no time did Dr. Jonathan suggested, implied , or insinuated that President Buhari had any connection with Boko Haram or that he supported the group in any form.
Dr. Jonathan’s remarks, made in the course of a broader discussion on Nigeria’s security challenges, were meant to illustrate the deviousness and manipulative strategies employed by Boko Haram in their early years.
His reference was to a well-documented episode when various individuals and factions falsely claimed to represent the terrorist group and purported to name prominent Nigerians as possible mediators: without those individuals’ knowledge or consent.
The point Dr. Jonathan sought to make was that Boko Haram, in its characteristic deceit, often invoked the names of respected public figures to sow confusion, exploit political divisions, and undermine public confidence in government.
His comments were therefore an illustration of the group’s duplicity, not an accusation against the late former president or any individual for that matter.
The former president’s position was that if indeed Buhari was their choice negotiator, why didn’t Boko Haram expeditiously bring their evil terrorist agenda to an end when the retired General became president?
For the avoidance of doubt, Dr. Jonathan recognizes that President Muhammadu Buhari, like every patriotic Nigerian, stood firmly against terrorism and was himself a target of Boko Haram violence. Both men, during their respective tenures, shared a common commitment to restoring peace and stability to Nigeria.
The Office of the Former President therefore urges the public to disregard any misinterpretation of his remarks.
Dr. Jonathan remains committed to peace, unity, and the strengthening of democratic values in Nigeria.
He believes that the nation’s progress depends on a truthful understanding of its challenges, not on the distortion of facts for political or sensational purposes.
-
Sports3 days ago
Coach Chelle Picks Super Eagles squad for 2026 World Cup qualifiers
-
Sports3 days ago
FIFA unveils Trionda, the official ball of the 2026 World Cup
-
Sports3 days ago
U20 World Cup: Flying Eagles win Saudi Arabia 3-2
-
News24 hours ago
Former President Jonathan’s Comments on Boko Haram Were Misrepresented
-
Crime2 days ago
BREAKING: Judge sentences Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs to over 4 years in prison
-
News19 hours ago
Fubara in closed-door meeting with Wike and Loyalists in Port Harcourt
-
News10 hours ago
Hon Rotimi Olowo, Chief Zebrudaya alias 4.30, and other top Nigerians for Virtuous Widows Int’l Foundation Awards
-
Entertainment16 minutes ago
Imisi Wins Big Brother Naija Season 10