“I rather die on the street than die at home. I can’t sit and watch the future of my son go to waste” Protester Gives Reasons For Joining Protest

In the midst of nationwide protests against the rising cost of living and economic hardships, Benjamin Chijioke, a determined demonstrator, has voiced his reasons for joining the movement. Chijioke, like many others, took to the streets on Thursday to express his discontent with the current state of affairs in Nigeria.

“I rather die on the street than die at home. I can’t sit and watch the future of my son go to waste. I know I may not have a future again in Nigeria but my son’s future will not be wasted,” Chijioke declared to Channels TV reporters. His words highlight the desperation and resolve felt by many Nigerians who are struggling to cope with economic challenges.

Chijioke shared that he traveled from Festac to Mile 2 in Lagos to participate in the protest, motivated by the impact of the economic situation on his family, particularly his talented 13-year-old son. “My son at 13 is a programmer. I can’t even buy data for him to learn more. I can’t even pay for tuition fees, millions of naira. At 13, he can program video games,” he explained. His frustration reflects the broader sentiment of parents who worry about their children’s future in an increasingly difficult economic landscape.

The protests have seen widespread participation, with citizens calling on President Bola Tinubu to address their concerns. Demonstrators have vowed to continue their actions until their demands are met. In Abuja, Damilare Adenola, Director of Mobilisation for the Take It Back Movement, expressed regret over what he described as prolonged oppression under the current administration. “The various court orders restricting protesters to particular locations are an aberration. Our presence here today is an announcement that we have been oppressed for too long,” Adenola stated.

He emphasized that the protests will persist unless the president takes decisive action to alleviate the suffering of Nigerians. “Today, we have risen. We are saying to the president that unless President Bola Tinubu accedes to our demands, we will remain on the streets. We want to see the president on the street. During the protest, he was on the street,” Adenola added, referencing the president’s own past involvement in protests.