The year 2012, started out on an elated note for most Nigerians at least for not experiencing the almost normal situation of incessant bombing which unfortunately claimed over 700 lives and destroyed properties worth millions of naira in the year 2011.
Unfortunately, the joy and glamour of the new year, soon became a short-lived one when the Nigerian Government through the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency(PPPRA) on the 1st of January 2012, announced the official jerk up of premium motor spirit, popularly called petrol by 116.9%.
Before this time, series of debates, discussions and activities have been on to determine whether or not to remove the fuel subsidy. However, against the popular wish of its citizens, the Nigerian government announced the final official removal of fuel subsidy which will invariably have grave effect on the welfare and sustenance of its citizens in days, weeks, months and years to come, if the status remains unchanged.
Until now, Nigeria, Africa's biggest producer of oil yet importer of refined petrol, sells a litre of petrol for #65 ($0.40; £0.26), but with the sudden increase in the price of petroleum products, Nigerians will have no option but to purchase a litre of petrol for #141 or more ($0.86; £0.62).
Since the announcement of the increase in petrol products on Sunday, it has been observed that transport fare, prices of goods and services have all been doubled and in some cases tripled as things are becoming quite unbearable for most Nigerians.
As it were, most civil organizations, unions, individuals amongst others seem ready to stage endless protests against the removal of fuel subsidy which they describe as "inhuman, war against Nigerians, wicked new year gift"
It is obvious that Nigerians are totally against this action of government which they say is calculated to inflict untold hardship, suffering and poverty on them. But how well will Nigerians be able to fight this cause to a logical successful end despite the many cultural, religious, ideological differences which exist amidst the over 150million unsecured citizens?
