Osogbo, the capital of Osun State witnessed massive protest on Thursday as residents and a civil society organization, Coalition of Concerned Youth, rallied against fraudulent practices by house agents.
The protesters who converged at the entrance of the Osun State Government Secretariat, Abere, were led by the Speaker of the Youth Assembly of Nigeria, Osun State Chapter, Fatomi Dare Hammed.
The protesters who turned out in large numbers, expressed frustration over alleged exploitation by unscrupulous landlords and house agents.
Fatomi who declared that youths in the state were tired of being robbed in broad daylight by greedy house agents and landlords, also accused them of demanding excessive inspection fees for properties that either do not exist or fall below acceptable standards.
The protesters lamented that landlords demand inflated rent fees, and most often turning basic amenities into luxury services.
They noted that despite writing letters to the state government and House of Assembly, their concerns were met with silence.
“This protest is a declaration of our dignity, our worth, and our right to live decently,” Fatomi said as he addressed the protesters.
He also declared that the protest was a peaceful one and not intended to cause any harm or disruption of normal daily activities.
“Today, we lift our voices, not in hatred, but in hope. Today, we march not just with our feet, but with our hearts full of courage and souls filled with conviction.
“We are here because we are tired. Tired of being exploited. Tired of getting robbed in broad daylight by greedy house agents and landlords who exploit our desperations.
“We are here because in a state blessed with intellect, culture, talent and promise, a basic human right like shelter has become a fraudulent scheme to oppress us.
“As young people, every day we search, hope and sometimes beg for a safe and decent place to lay our heads, yet, agents and landlords seize this opportunity to exploit and even scam us of our hard-earned money.
“Agents are charging us excessive inspection fees for houses they don’t even own or meet our expectations.
“Landlords are demanding bogus fees in rents by turning basic housing features to luxuries we have to pay premium fees for. And a lot more we can’t even begin to mention.
“Now, we will be silent no more. Our demands are not impossible. They are reasonable. They are lawful. They are long overdue.
“We are not the government’s enemy. We are not the problem. We are the engine
and future of this state. And we must be listened to.
“We don’t want crooked landlords and agents enriched at the expense of our sufferings anymore.So, my people, raise your head high. Your voice matters. Your life matters. Your struggle is valid,” Fatomi said.
An Osogbo based journalist, Jare Tiamiyu, said despite the fact that the demands of the protesters was legitimate, there was need for the state government to set up a commission on the matter, in line with laws enacted by the State House of Assembly.
He said, “Yes, the Osun House of Assembly has passed a law reflective of the protesters’ demand. But despite the assent of Governor Ademola Adeleke, nothing tangible will be achieved until a commission is set up by the Osun State Government.
“It is until a commission is set up that those that are aggrieved can approach it and lay their complaints. It is with these complaints that both the commission and the state government can act.
“Without that, I don’t think any thing can happen.”
CREDIT: DAILY POST