Former minister of transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has charged Nigerians to rise and protest against bad governance as hardship continues to take its toll on the citizens.

Speaking in an interview recently, Amaechi lamented the rising cost of living in Nigeria, adding that the current trend has continued to hurt the purchasing power of every Nigerian.

The former Rivers State governor from 2007 to 2015, however, berated Nigerians for taking a backseat despite some of the bad reforms implemented by the Tinubu-led administration, warning that such a laidback position would further plunge the economy into chaos.

“I’m angry with the citizens. I have said it several times. You can see a group of people stealing your money, impoverishing you, you cannot buy fuel or anything,” he told ABN TV.

Amaechi also criticised President Tinubu over his poor handling of the fuel subsidy, which led to a triple hike in the price of fuel and spiralling food inflation, adding that citizens should not have allowed politicians to embark on recent electioneering campaigns in the face of economic pain.

“The people should be angry. There should be protests. Not even protests against anybody but against the politicians, that ‘we won’t vote.’ That is what people should be saying. The rate of hunger now… if people like us cannot afford diesel, you can imagine what is happening to those who do not have children like us.

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“Somebody said what this government has achieved is that it has made Nigerians strong in the sense that Nigerians now trek.”
Amaechi served as transportation minister from 2015 to 2022 in the Muhammadu Buhari administration,” he said.## Monkey Shoulder and Worldwide FM Celebrate Jazzhole’s Legacy in Lagos

Monkey Shoulder and Worldwide FM recently joined forces to honour Jazzhole, a cultural hub that has been a cornerstone of Nigeria’s music scene for three decades.

The event, part of the global Studio Monkey Shoulder initiative, celebrated Jazzhole’s contribution to preserving Nigeria’s vibrant music traditions.

As one of five winners selected worldwide, Jazzhole received a £10,000 grant and ongoing support from Monkey Shoulder and Worldwide FM. This support will enable the hub to digitize and release two compilation albums of previously unreleased recordings, showcasing a diverse range of Nigerian music genres.

The event at Waterside, Lekki, was more than just a tribute to Jazzhole; it was a celebration of grassroots music culture. Musicians, DJs, and music lovers gathered to enjoy performances from Nigerian talents like Icey of Element House, DJ Tigran of Ekolektro, and Ayofawo of H Factor.

Cultural icons like VJ Adams and some of the finest names in the Nigerian culture scene were also present to support the event. Jazzhole’s founder, Olakunle Tejuoso, expressed gratitude for the support and expressed his commitment to preserving Nigeria’s rich musical history.

The night at Waterside was a testament to the enduring power of grassroots music in Nigeria. With the support of initiatives like Studio Monkey Shoulder, the legacy of Nigerian music will continue to thrive for generations to come.