WorldStage Newsonine-- The general strike called by the Nigerian Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress is ongoing across major cities in Nigeria.

There is a large turnout of protesters in Lagos where commercial transport and private vehicles are off the streets.

Protesters converged at Labour House in Yaba, Lagos and left the place few minutes to 8am. They trekked through the Ikorodu Road, arrived at Maryland around 10.40am, chanting anti-government songs.

The protest is so far peaceful with heavy presence of Police at nearly every one kilometer.

In his remark, Babatunde Yusuf, Assistance Vice Chairman, Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), said we cannot continue this way, even if it would require the change of government.

The Deputy Chairman, Nigeria Union of Teacher, Lagos branch, said, the welfare of Nigerian workers cannot be compromised, which was the essence of the strike. He insisted on the reversal of the fuel subsidy removal, saying people cannot continue to subsidise the lavish lifestyle of few in the government.

The National President of the Association of Senior Staff of Banks Insurance and other Financial Institutions Employees (ASSBIFE), Sunday Olusoji Salako said for any policy to be beneficial, it must be acceptable to the people. He said as things are, the people have lost trust in the government.

He said government must reverse fuel price to N65 per litre before negotiation can commence.

In Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, there is calm and total compliance with the strike order. In fact, it is a double strike in the state as civil servants were previously observing a strike over the non-payment of minimum wage by the state government.

Our correspondent said most people are at home while the state's radio station is off air, with people not having adequate information about what is going on in the state.

In Bauchi, there is also compliance with the labour directive as workers stay at home while businesses and shops are closed.

In Kaduna, the strike is very effective as major roads are deserted with no commercial transport. The major market, Abubarka Gumi Central market in the city is also deserted.

At Lugard Round About, there are large nuber of protesters chanting, playing Fela and Idris Abdukareem popular track (Nigeria jagajaga).

Story by our reporters.