I rather die on the street than die at home, says protester

Benjamin Chijioke, a protester among many Nigerians who took to the streets on Thursday to voice their grievances about hardship and the high cost of living, expressed his resolve and desperation. In an interview with a Channels TV reporter, Chijioke stated, '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’s statement reflects the sentiment of many Nigerians who feel compelled to protest due to the current economic conditions. He revealed that he traveled alone from Festac to Mile 2 in Lagos State to participate in the demonstration. He spoke passionately about the impact of the economic situation on his family, particularly his talented 13-year-old son, who is a programmer. '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,' Chijioke said. Earlier, other protesters indicated that the demonstrations would continue until President Bola Tinubu met their demands. They urged the president to address their concerns promptly to end the protests. Damilare Adenola, the Director of Mobilisation for the Take It Back Movement, addressed journalists in Abuja, decrying the prolonged oppression under the current administration.

Adenola criticized court orders restricting protesters to specific locations, calling them an aberration. He declared, 'Our presence here today is an announcement that we have been oppressed for too long. 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.'