As the upcoming nationwide protest against bad governance in Nigeria from August 1 to 10, 2024, approaches, both potential protesters and government officials are increasing their efforts to discourage Nigerians from participating.
In Cross River State, the State Government facilitated a meeting on Monday between online influencers and entertainment groups with the theme “The Entertainers, the Entertainment, the Fans, and the Government.”.
At the meeting, some participants indicated their intention to participate in the protest due to challenges like work difficulties, low incomes, unemployment, and the high cost of living.
However, government officials are still finding other ways to prevent the protest from happening by massaging their egos.
Addressing key players and stakeholders in the state’s creative and entertainment industries, Dr. Erasmus Ekpang, the Information Commissioner, states that the state is against protests because of the damage caused during the 2020 #ENDSARS protests.
Also, former information commissioner Eric Anderson laments that 175 properties worth 75 billion naira were destroyed during the 2020 EndSARS protest and have not been recovered despite ongoing efforts.
State actors argue that the protest scheduled for August 1–10 will not effectively address the country’s issues.
While some are calling for the reinstatement of the fuel subsidy and a reduction in fuel prices, they are also urging the government to support entertainers by providing the necessary resources for their work.
Entertainers highlighted the importance of backing local artists to help them reach their full potential in their respective industries, creating a supportive community that can turn the state into a prominent centre for creative talent.
During an interview representing the state government, Barrister Akiba Ekpenyong, the Governor’s Special Assistant on General Duties, shared concerns about potential unrest similar to the #EndSars protests in 2020 and emphasised a desire to prevent a repeat of those negative consequences.
Akiba explained that the government is addressing the issues raised by the people of Cross River, such as the Bakassi handover, fair resource distribution, boosting revenue, and attracting both local and international investments for infrastructure and job creation.
According to him, “We’re seeking a platform where people’s challenges are generally met in terms of health, security, education, road infrastructure, and employment.
“Yes, there’s hunger and insecurity, but as a government, we’re deliberately working on measures to alleviate hardship in Cross River.
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