Music: [african_music] Protests for the Removal of the Gas Subsidy in Nigeria at the World Bank and International Monetary Fund Locations in Washington, D.C. on January 9th and 13th

Demonstrations protesting the
removal of the gas subsidy in Nigeria will take place at the World Bank on
Monday, January 9th at 11am to 1pm and at the International Monetary
Fund (IMF) on Friday, January 13th at 10am
to 2pm in Washington DC
"Since being elected into
office, the current Nigerian Government has been extremely harsh and
insensitive towards the basic needs of its citizens. The Government has turned
a deaf ear to the cries of Nigerian citizens. The majority of the
Nigerian people cannot afford the removal of this gas subsidy and the domino
effect this will cause (the price increase on other goods and services),"
Harrison Nwozo, protest organizer said.

This is a part of the Occupy Nigeria movement (Occupy Nigeria DC) which is a series of protests that started in Nigeria on Monday, January 2nd in response to the gas subsidy removal by Nigerian President, Goodluck
Jonathan on Sunday, January 1st.

On Monday, January 9th,
an indefinite nationwide strike will commence in Nigeria until the gas subsidy
is reinstated. Protesters in Washington, D.C. are urging the IMF to encourage
the reinstatement of the subsidy. Recently, the World Bank and IMF advised
African countries to remove all subsidies to reduce their national debts.

"We are conducting this protest in Washington, D.C. because
we want to show our solidarity to our Nigerian brothers and sisters back home.
The removal of the gas subsidy has not only affected gas prices in Nigeria but has
caused a chain reaction on the rest of its economy. Nigeria is a nation where
50% of the people live on less than $2 a day so for the government to not think
about our unique challenges before this policy was changed is thoughtless and
inconsiderate," Chika Uwazie, protest organizer said.

Protests have also been reported in other countries
including London. In addition to the
reversal of the gas subsidy ban, Nigerians want better infrastructure and the elimination
of corruption.
The protest on Monday will begin at 11am with a march at
McPherson Square to World Bank Headquarters located at 1818 H Street, NW,
Washington, D.C. The demonstration will
end at 1pm. The protest on Friday will begin at 10am at the International
Monetary Fund located at 700 19th street
NW with a march to the second International Monetary Fund building at 1900 Pennsylvania Ave NW.

"As far as Nigeria goes, I have never been able to cast
a vote. So, what this protest means to me is something very personal. It means
an opportunity to be part of something bigger than me; an opportunity to stand
with other Nigerians and stand against EVERYTHING wrong with Nigeria. This, for
me, is not a choice, it is an obligation," Ifeanyi Nwoko, protest
organizer said.
Local protests are being organized by various groups and
organizations including Let There Be Light In Nigeria - Nigerian Million March
and African Diaspora Institute. For more
information about the protests please contact:

Harrison
"Harry Baba" Nwozo
Executive
Director, TribeX International
Tribex2000@yahoo.com

Nnamdi F. Akwada
Executive Director African Diaspora Institute
www.usafricanculturalfestival.com
nakwa001@gmail.com
Washington DC Coordinator- Let There Be Light In Nigeria

Doyin Olagbeji
Founder
and Convener Let There Be Light In Nigeria- Nigerian Million March
www.nigerianmillionmarch.com
mmmproject@nigerianmillionmarch.com

Chika Uwazie
Youth
Activist
Chikaodinaka@gmail.com

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