Labour seeks national unity

The organised labour has said Nigeria’s 57th independence anniversary should be an opportunity for sober reflection by political leaders.

Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President Comrade Ayuba Wabba said those calling for seccession should rethink their actions as there is strength in unity.

Wabba said: “When all seems down and out, we always find ways of overcoming our adversaries. As we mark this year’s anniversary in the midst of a recessionary economy, and amid massive suffering and unprecedented challenges in the polity, we must keep faith, that we will overcome our difficulties and challenges, and, ultimately, triumph over our socio-economic and political challenges.

“As the biggest black nation on earth, we owe it as a duty to the black race, both on the continent and in the diaspora, to build a united and prosperous nation.”

Wabba pointed out that conflict would hurt everybody, particularly workers, pensioners and their families.

According to him, dialogue remains the best formula for conflict resolution.

“Thus, those fanning the embers of disunity need to be discouraged and schooled on the realities of war. In the same vein, we appeal to all  Nigerians not to fall for the glamorisation of conflict or war as a solution to our self-inflicted crisis,” he added.

Wabba called on Nigerians to  fight those promoting division, adding that they are fighting for their vested interests.

He said: “Let us, therefore, not allow them to use poor Nigerian workers, pensioners and peasants as cannon fodders for their selfish interests. The desperate but vocal few cannot and should not be allowed to speak for the majority of us.”

According to Wabba, labour has,  over the decades, stood for one Nigeria, right from its founding fathers who were in the frontline of the struggle for independence, through leaders who led the masses to fight against the imposition of neo-liberal policies by military dictatorships.

Wabba said: “Our common enemy, and whom we must all resolve to face, remains the corrupt political class, who instead of utilising the God-endowed wealth of our nation, choose to loot it for themselves and their children thereby depriving us of decent living and inflicting on us a scarred collective psychology that is predominantly negative, hostile and unproductive.

“On our part, we are determined to stop our elites and their lackeys from throwing us into another avoidable civil war.”

TUC President Comrade Bobboi Kaigama condemned the clamour for restructuring.

He reaffirmed TUC’s commitment to the unity of the country, but opposed politically-motivated restructuring.

According to Kaigama, a fragmented Nigeria would not serve any good. He said there was nothing to celebrate as all was still not well with the country.

The TUC chief criticised the excessive spending by some politicians who travel overseas without  replicating the amenities they enjoy abroad at home.

Kaigama said: “It is laughable that our leaders travel abroad but do not replicate what they see and enjoy over there. Why will the country not be hit by recession when politicians spend 80 per cent of their jumbo pay in buying properties in Dubai, United Kingdom, United States and South Africa, among others?

“How can the education sector run a full session without strikes when the children of politicians school abroad? The deplorable state of our roads is not a priority because they fly.

“When the system favours them they make no comments, but when it is otherwise they import arms and assemble youths to distabilise the system. The crises and agitations we see everywhere today are outcome of disenchantment.

Kaigama said the nation’s  key functionaries and institutions must be made to work like elsewhere.

NLC Lagos State chapter chairman Comrade Idowu Adelakan attributed the high rate of crime to unemployment among youths.

“As such, nothing calls for celebrating the country’s independence anniversary since some states are still unable to comply with the minimum wage of N18,000. Most states are still owing workers and pensioners their salaries.

“As far as we are concerned, the governors are not willing to pay, and it is not because they cannot pay. We believe they can pay. They only believe in awarding contracts, which is their major priority,” he said.