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Tag: Workers Day

  • NLC President begs NBA, others to rescue Nigeria from imminent collapse

    NLC President begs NBA, others to rescue Nigeria from imminent collapse

    The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Joe Ajaero has called on the Nigerian Bar Association, arms of judiciary, bar benchers among others to speak up on what is happening in the judicial system.

    Ajaero who stated this at a press briefing organised by the Labour and Civil Society Front on Sunday in Abuja also said, “this is the time to rescue Nigeria” as the judiciary is the last hope of the common man.

    He said: “We believe that the mission is geared towards rescuing Nigeria. Rescuing the judiciary, the judiciary is clearly down, the judiciary has set so many states and institutions on fire.

    The judiciary has set Imo state on fire up till now, particularly I am asking how can a person who is not the candidate of his party be declared governor.

    “The judiciary has so many questions to answer, if they fail to answer those questions.

    If they fail to answer those questions within a short time, we will create a hall of shame for those judges that come with such judgement and that would happen soon.

    “So there is need for the NBA, for all arms in the judiciary, to the Bar benchers and all to speak out on what is happening in the judiciary, without whether judiciary is still the last hope of the common man. Now the destination the country hangs on them, it’s either they fulfil it or they betray it once again there is a lot”.

    According to the NLC Boss, “The acronym ‘go to the court” these day is now shameful. When people tell you go to the court, they are telling you that is the end of the matter. Somebody will steal your yam and say, go to the court. On what basis are those statements been used? That is the level of ridicule that the judiciary has brought to and as Nigerians, we all need come out to rescue the judiciary or else there will be no need to continue to go to court.

    Comrade Ajaero who identified with the coalition, said there is a great gap between those governing and the youths.

    “The NLC identifies with this body not necessarily on political basis but in order to rescue this country. We can see the youths struggling these days to see whether they can make impact. You can see that there is a gap between those governing and youths, no connection anywhere. What they see as a level of governance, some if whither learn from school are no what are been practiced.

    “I will give you example, Hassan Sumonu was the first president of NLC, by that time he was in office until he met Muhammadu Buhari, today I am the seventh president of the NLC a d Buhari is still there. Now it is like we have 1, 2, 3, 4 members who must rule this country bee recycled, there is no hope for the youths. So this is the time to look at this, it is not just hope for the youths politically. What hope do they ha e that when they finished. School they will get a job? What us the level of vacancies declared annually? How many people graduate from School both
    What percentage of them get employed? So the time to rescue Nigeria I now!”, he added.

  • Workers’ Day: Address ASUU strike now – PDP tells FG

    Workers’ Day: Address ASUU strike now – PDP tells FG

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on the Federal Government to immediately attend to the industrial action embarked upon by lecturers in public universities to halt an imminent collapse of Nigeria’s education sector.

    The party made the call in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Debo Ologunagba, in Abuja on Sunday to mark the 2022 International Workers’ Day.

    Ologunagba said that inaction towards the welfare of workers had continued to dislocate the nation’s social order and cripple its major productive sectors with grave negative ripple effects on millions of families and the nation at large.

    Ologunagba added that general stagnation on issues of the welfare of workers reflected the ugly reality in the nation, including the closure of public universities.

    He, however, commended Nigerian Workers for their patriotism, patience and determination towards nation-building in spite of the asphyxiating environment, describing workers as real drivers of Nigeria’s life.

    Ologunagba said that the workers as real drivers of Nigeria’s national life represent the Nigerian resilient spirit and fight for survival in the citizens’ resolve to move the nation forward in spite of the challenges.

    He called on the workers and indeed all Nigerians to remain calm and keep hope alive as the PDP takes strong steps to democratically return to power in 2023 to rescue and rebuild the nation.

  • May Day 2022: Why we celebrate Workers’ Day – NLC President

    May Day 2022: Why we celebrate Workers’ Day – NLC President

    President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Ayuba Wabba has explained the essence of celebrating May Day or International Workers’ Day on May 1st every year.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Mr Wabba as saying the day was set aside for workers to be recognised and appreciated for the fact that they create wealth.

    “The essence of the May Day or International Workers Day, is actually a day set aside for workers to be recognised and appreciated for the fact that they create wealth.

    “It is the celebration of workers that create wealth, ensure stability and also provide all the services that we need to keep our economy growing and the system going.

    “That is from the ordinary farmer to the armed forces, and to the highest of all of them, that are workers,” he said.

    Wabba also explained that the day was set aside to create awareness on the lack of security and sacrifices of workers and for the political elites to be reminded of what to be done to be able to secure Nigeria.

    He said workers, through their unions, have made a lot of struggles for social justices in the system and in some climes, they must be recognised and appreciated for their contributions in creating wealth in Nigeria.

    He, therefore, said the theme of the 2022 May Day, tried to capture the mood of the moment with the theme: “Labour, Politics, the Quest for Good Governance and Development’’.

    According to him, this is to capture the mood of the moment, whereas there is a lot of challenges, including the security challenge, confronting Nigerians today from different facets.

    “But above all, it is for us to recongise our contributions in creating wealth in Nigeria,” the labour leader stressed.

    He called for peace, stability, security and good governance as workers mark this year’s International Workers Day on May 1.

    The NLC President on Saturday in Abuja stressed that peace, stability, security and good governance were the constitutional responsibility of the government.

    “The constitutional responsibility of every government is about ensuring the peace and security of every citizen. This is what is supposed to occupy our political elite today and it is not about the next circle of elections.

    “It should be on how we can ensure that there is peace, stability, security in every facet. I mean in every locality in Nigeria and that has not been the case.

    “Therefore, it is a very serious challenge that is why we have to look at the theme of the May Day, to encapsulate all of these challenges that needed answers.

    “Importantly, it will require a political solution, with the best of strike and best of protest; you can see that the problems have remained the same,’’ he said.

    Announcing the 2022 May Day theme as: “Labour, Politics, the Quest for Good Governance and National Development’’, the NLC president said this would be the focus of this year’s May Day celebration.

    He also said that the theme was not all about the forthcoming general elections, rather it should be about the people, good governance and the government that would respond to issues effectively.

    Wabba added, clearly speaking, we are still not out of the wood yet, the situation have become even more complicated, there are many challenges in the security spheres and other social vices in the country.

    According to him, killings, abduction and kidnapping should be a matter of concern to everybody but right now, all we can only think of is elections, when there are challenges in the peace and stability of the nation.

    “In all of these, workers have been on the receiving end, in spite of the insecurity, some of our workers have to frontally engage in the issue of insecurity, such as the police, military and para-military, health workers,‘’ he said.

    He added that, in spite of these challenges, their salaries wouldn’t take them home, but yet they are still on the front line.

    Meanwhile, in a statement, the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) felicitated Nigerian workers and people on the commemoration of the 2022 International Workers Day.

    This is contained in a statement jointly signed by Mr Ayuba Wabba, the NLC President, and Mr Quadri Olaleye, the TUC President.

    According to the statement, the national celebration of this year’s May Day will take place on May 1, by 10 a.m, at the Eagle Square, Abuja.

    “The celebration will also hold across all the states of the federation.

    “Given the imminence of the Eid-El-Fitr Sallah celebration, the national May Day commemoration will only be shifted to May 2, if the moon is sighted today, being April 30.

    “This is to allow our Muslim brothers and sisters observe the Eid prayer,” he said.

    It said that the time for the May Day celebration would remain the same.

    “We will communicate with workers, our invited guests and the general public once there is a postponement,” the statement said.

  • May Day: I feel your pains – Atiku to Nigerian Workers

    May Day: I feel your pains – Atiku to Nigerian Workers

    Former Vice President of Nigeria and PDP presidential aspirant in the 2023 election, Atiku Abubakar has described as unbearable the pains and pang of hunger, hyper inflation, mass unemployment and insecurity challenges that Nigerian workers encounter in their daily lives, but says there’s hope from this socio-economic slope.

    He also admonishes the Nigerian workers at all levels, and all sectors – federal, state, local governments and private sector – to adopt a new approach in industrial relations, and dispute resolution by pursuing labour-friendly policies and positions that will guarantee improved national productivity, better working conditions for workers, particularly low-income staff and casual workers who have suffered so much anguish and pains in their daily working lives and living.

    In a special message marking May Day 2022, released in Abuja, Atiku enjoins workers and all Nigerians to know that he feels their pains and would do the utmost to better their lots, if given an opportunity to lead the country.

    He expressed concern that wages and salaries have remained static, food scarcity and inflation abound everywhere, children are out of school due to no fault of theirs, farmers can no longer go to farm for fear of bandits, traders cannot commute freely without being abducted, no energy to power industries and companies are shutting down geometrically; all conspired as burden on the citizenry.

    “But all hope is not lost. We need not be forlorn; time is ripe to vote out bad governance and Nigerian workers should lead the way with their voter’s cards at the next polls, to ensure the return of better days,” he said.

    Meanwhile, Atiku praised the resilience and determination of Nigerian workers, despite the myriad of man-made challenges confronting them.

    “Nigerians are hardworking and industrious people, who can compete with the best in the world given a conducive atmosphere and good work environment: good training, welfare package and enabling laws,” the PDP presidential aspirant said.

    He urged Nigerian workers to keep hope alive, cultivate a new spirit of patriotism that will be geared towards nation building and peace.

    The Waziri Adamawa appealed to the federal and state governments to work harder to bring the Academic Staff Union of Universities, and other striking labour unions back to the negotiation table in the interest of the Nigerian youths, and the educational system of the country, which is dying gradually due to these incessant labour unrests.

    “Our country shall fare very well in the coming years if as a nation and people, our leaders and citizens imbibe a new spirit and approach in our attitude to managing the workplace, corporate governance and our nation’s wealth,” he said.

  • Workers’ Day: Call off strike in spirit of May Day – Lawan tells ASUU

    Workers’ Day: Call off strike in spirit of May Day – Lawan tells ASUU

    President of the Nigerian Senate, Ahmad Lawan has appealed to the Academic Staff Union of Universities(ASUU) to call off their ongoing strike in the spirit of 2022 May Day celebrations.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Senator Lawan made the appeal in a statement in which he sent his best wishes to Nigerian workers on the occasion of this year’s May Day, being International Workers’ Day.

    Lawan celebrated the workers for their immense contributions to the development of the nation.

    “Nigerian workers deserve our appreciations and respects for their contributions to the development of our country.

    “I also salute them for their patriotic cooperation with the government and and other institutions in the collective efforts to address societal challenges.

    “There is no gainsaying the fact that Labour creates wealth for the nation, the more reason that the welfare of the Nigerian workers should always be accorded priority.

    “As Parliament, the National Assembly will continue to partner with the Organised Labour in addressing issues that affect workers and the generality of the Nigerian people.

    “Despite the prevailing challenges, the relationship between Labour and the Government should be cooperative in the overall interest of the country.

    “In the spirit of May Day, I appeal for a speedy and amicable resolution of the ongoing negotiations between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities(ASUU) to ensure that our universities reopen for learning and research.

    “We should always be mindful that no society can make meaningful progress without industrial peace and harmony.

    “Once again, I say congratulations to all Nigerian workers and wish them a happy May Day,” Lawan said.

  • May Day: Anyim sends message of hope to Nigerians

    May Day: Anyim sends message of hope to Nigerians

    Frontline People’s Democratic Party (PDP) presidential aspirant, Anyim Pius Anyim has comended Nigerian workers for their steadfastness and determination to put in their best despite their harsh economic realities of the day.

    In his 2022 May Day message to workers released from his Campaign office in Abuja on Saturday, the former President of the Senate lamented the downturn in the quality of the life of workers in the country caused by bad economic situation which has made the living condition of members of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the entire working class both in the public and private sectors a nightmare.

    Anyim cited high rate of inflation, underemployment, salary delays, and salary denials as some of the major economic challenges facing workers as well as myriads of non economic factors that have brought pains to workers in the country.

    He praised Nigerian workers for continuing to put in their best despite the difficult work environment and conditions, describing workers as genuine patriots.

    He urged them not to be demoralised by the situation of things, assuring them that by the grace of God, the on-going political transition would enthrone a new government in 2023 that will be mindful of the plight of workers, competent in the management of economy and be able to reverse the pains of today.

    Anyim who was a career public servant for many years said: ” It is shocking how the living and working conditions of the Nigerian public and private sector workers have rapidly deteriorated in the last few years.

    “As I celebrate with you on the occasion of this year’s Workers’ Day, I share with you the pains and agony of Nigerian workers. On the one hand, uncontrolled Inflation has wiped out the purchasing power of the civil and public servants as well as the private sector workers.

    “On the other hand, the deplorable state of the Nigerian economy has made it almost impossible to raise salaries and wages to a commensurate level with the Inflation rate, thereby putting workers in further quagmire.

    “And yet, many workers in the country are grossly underemployed and underpaid in the face of galloping Inflation.

    “In addition, the over-yoked workers, like the rest of Nigerians, are also contending with insecurity, exorbitant rents, poor transport facilities and dearth of other vital infrastructures.

    “Despite these militating factors, you have continued to work and create wealth for the country. This resilience, undoubtedly, marks Nigerian workers out as great patriots, who, given the right environment would be in the forefront of launching Nigeria into her rightful place in terms of development.

    “Your sacrifice shall not be in vain. I urge you take the ongoing political transition seriously and participate actively, so that by 2023, Nigeria will have a very competent government that will address all the challenges dragging the country down.

    “By the grace of God, I see a greater and brighter Nigeria emerging from the agonies of the present time”, the 2023 presidential aspirant stated.

  • FG declares May 1st,2nd public holidays to mark Workers’day,Eid-il-Fitr

    FG declares May 1st,2nd public holidays to mark Workers’day,Eid-il-Fitr

    The Federal Government has declared May 2 and 3 as public holidays to mark this year’s Workers’ Day and Eid-il-Fitr celebrations.

    Rauf Aregbesola the Minister of interior made this known through a statement released by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Shuaib Belgore, on Thursday.

    Aregbesola commended workers for their hard work, diligence and sacrifice, noting that their efforts are largely responsible for the greatness of the country and the respect Nigeria now commands in the comity of nations.

    The minister also congratulated all Muslims for the successful completion of the month of Ramadan.

    The statement read in part:“Ogbeni Aregbesola commended workers for their hard work, diligence and sacrifice, noting that their efforts are largely responsible for the greatness of the country and the respect Nigeria now commands in the comity of nations.

    “Labour is the very essence of humanity. We are alive because we work and only the dead is incapable of working” , the statement added.

  • FG declares Monday, Tuesday, public holidays

    FG declares Monday, Tuesday, public holidays

    The Federal Government has declared Monday May 2 and Tuesday May 3, as public holidays to mark the 2022 Workers Day and Eidel-Fitr celebrations.

    The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Dr Shuaib Belgore, made this known in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.

    According to him, the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government.

    The minister congratulated workers across the country on their celebration.

    He also commended them for their hard work, diligence and sacrifice, saying that their efforts were largely responsible for the greatness of the country and the respect Nigeria now commanded in the comity of nations.

    “Labour is the very essence of humanity. We are alive because we work and only the dead is incapable of working.”

    Aregbesola, therefore, enjoined them to imbibe the culture of productivity, adding that the end of work was productivity.

    “It is productivity that leads to satisfactory provision of goods and services and wealth creation.

    “It is, therefore, the path to national and individual prosperity.”

    He, however, urged them to raise the bar of their trade in line with the President Muhammadu Buhari led administration’s drive to rev up the vehicle of governance and make all the people of Nigeria derive maximum benefit.

    The minister also congratulated all Muslims for the successful completion of the Holy month of Ramadan.

    Aregbesola called on all Muslims to imbibe and practice the virtues of kindness, love, tolerance, peace, self-denial, sacrifice and good neighbourliness, as exemplified by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon Him).

    “The self-restrain, self-denial, sacrifice and deep spiritual consciousness that accompanied the fasting period should not end but be maintained and improved upon, to be a better person and true worshipper.”

    The minister expressed confidence that the security challenges in some parts of the country would soon be a thing of the past.

    He added that the government was putting determined efforts and all necessary measures in place for Nigerians to enjoy unfettered peace all round.

    Aregbesola assured Nigerians that the administration of President Buhari was fully committed to the security of life and property of every citizen and foreigners alike.

    He commended all security agencies for the successes recorded in the fight against criminals across the country and the peace that had returned to the formerly embattled places.

    He urged Nigerians to be part of the nation’s security architecture by being vigilant and reporting suspicious individuals and activities to law enforcement agencies nareest to them.

    He, however, remindeđ Nigerians that security was everybody’s responsibility and should not be left in the hands of the government alone.

    Aregbesola wished all Muslims a happy Eidul-Fitr celebration and prayed that the peace, blessings and favours of Allah be with them all.

  • Workers’ Day: Labour threatens fresh industrial action over Minimum Wage Law

    Workers’ Day: Labour threatens fresh industrial action over Minimum Wage Law

    President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Mr. Ayuba Wabba on Saturday threatened to embark on a mass industrial action if the proposed bill which seeks to transfer minimum wage to the concurrent list is passed by the National Assembly.

    Mr Wabba made the remark during an event organised to mark Workers’ Day in Abuja.

    “There have been attempts by a section the ruling class to remove the national minimum wage from Exclusive Legislative list to the concurrent list,” he said.

    “This is condemnable. The national minimum wage is a global standard.

    “Therefore, we are reinforcing our earlier position to state that Nigerian workers will not allow a situation where the progress we have made for the past 40 years to be taken by these group of politicians we are going to insist that any day that this law is considered by any of the chambers, Nigerian workers are going to withdraw their services.”

    He also said Kaduna workers will withdraw their services for five days in protest of the sacking of workers by the Kaduna State Government.

    If the workers are not reinstated, Mr Wabba stressed, there will be a total shutdown.

    Meanwhile Minister of Labour, Chris Ngige, who was representing President Muhammadu Buhari at the event, said the new minimum wage law applies to everyone, and state governments are bound by it.

    He added that he is opposed to moving the minimum wage from the exclusive legislative list to the concurrent list.

    The minimum wage bill is being sponsored by Garba Datti, an APC lawmaker from Kaduna.

    The bill passed second reading at the House of Representatives in February.

    According to Datti, rather than impose a central minimum wage, states should have the capacity to decide their own wages, based on their own socio-economic variables and circumstance.

    However, the NLC has described the bill as anti-worker.

    On March 10, NLC members staged a protest at the Unity Fountain in Abuja before marching to the National Assembly complex to demand the bill’s withdrawal.

  • BREAKING: FG declares public holiday to mark Workers’ Day

    BREAKING: FG declares public holiday to mark Workers’ Day

    The Federal Government has declared Monday, May 3, as public holiday to mark 2021 International Workers’ Day Celebration.

    The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Dr Shuaib Belgore, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja on behalf of the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola.

    Aregbesola, who made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government, congratulated Nigerian Workers for witnessing 2021 Workers’ Day Celebration.

    He commended them for their patience, understanding and support in driving the policies and programmes of President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration in its determination to move the country to the next level of socio-economic development.

    The minister, however, called for more dedication and patriotism from all Nigerian Workers and the labour unions.

    According to him, the challenges of the moment will soon be over as the government is committed to the security of lives and property of all Nigerians.

    “Government is putting all strategies in place to curb the challenges of insecurity in the country.

    “I, therefore, call on the labour force and all patriotic citizens to be fully committed to the task of putting insecurity to a permanent end as much as possible,” he said.

    Aregbesola, however, wishes all Nigerian Workers a peaceful Celebration.