May Day:Jonathan, NLC, TUC Observe Workers Day

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► A carpenter & union leader, suggested a holiday to honour workers in 1882, the Workers’ Day has grown beyond just a holiday for workers, to an internationally acknowledged day to honour workers all over the world.
► In Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, the Workers Day rally in Abuja may not witness the usual pomp that is associated with the day.
► Some of the union leaders who who were present blame the situation on insecurity in the land.

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Since Peter J. McGuire, a carpenter and union leader, suggested a holiday to honour workers in 1882, the Workers’ Day has grown beyond just a holiday for workers, to an internationally acknowledged day to honour workers all over the world.

It has become a day set aside, not only to commemorate workers’ contributions to the socio-economic development of their various societies, but also to draw public attention to the plight and struggles of this very important segment of the society to improve working conditions.

In Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, the Workers Day rally in Abuja may not witness the usual pomp that is associated with the day.

At about ten o’clock in the morning only a few workers were out at the Eagle Square for the rally that goes with the day.

Some of the union leaders who spoke to Chat212 blame the situation on insecurity in the land.

One of the officers used the Public Address System to plead with the workers who were outside the Eagle Square to get into the centre stage for the rally, a plea that only a few workers adhered to. Among the groups that came in on time was the driver’s union otherwise known as the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW). They were followed by the Vice President of the Nigeria Labour Congress.

The Minister of Labour, Mr Emeka Wogu, has been at the Eagle Square very early. He tries very hard to ensure that things are in order and also explained the lack of pomp in the day’s rally.

In Oyo State, Governor Ibikunle Amosun congratulated the entire work force of the State on the occasion of the 2014 Workers’ Day celebration.

He also used the medium to appreciate and commend all members of the Public Service of Ogun State for the unquantifiable co-operation and support demonstrated through dedication, professionalism and selfless service towards the successful implementation of the “Five-Cardinal Programme”of his administration as embedded in his “Mission to Rebuild” Ogun State.

The May Day celebration in Yobe state north – east Nigeria was marked by lectures and speeches by government officials and the Union Leaders as against the usual march past by trade unions and labour organisations

Celebrated under low key, speakers called for intervention of government and relevant authorities towards the release of the over 200 students abducted at the GGSS Chibok in Borno state.

The Yobe NLC chairman, Comrade Lawan Ibrahim, while addressing workers to commemorate the day called on the state government to abolish the use of examination as the only yardstick for promotion of workers in the state saying it has retarded productivity in public service.

He said it has become necessary to abolish the civil service promotion examination because, “it has failed to improve productivity and delays the promotion processes”

While in Bayelsa state, south- south Nigeria, workers converged at the Peace Park in Yenagoa to celebrate the day.

The Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress, Bayelsa State chapter, Mrs Ebiwou Obiyai, in her address while thanking the governor on his  favourable relationship with the workers in the state urged him to still do more.

The governor, Mr Seriake Dickson , in his response assured them of his dedication to improve the lot of the workers but advised them not to be used as tools in the hands of politicians.

Meanwhile workers in Niger state called on the state Government to fulfill all the promises it  made to them since the inception of the administration.

They listed salary increase, payment of the national minimum wage, improved working condition and car loans as the promises that the state Government is yet to fulfill..

The state deputy Governor, Mr Musa Ibeto, promised that the state Government will as a matter of urgency look into the demands of the people.

Mr Ibeto, who represented the Governor, Mr Babangida Aliyu, at the event while acknowledging the demands of the workers, promised that the state Government will address them very soon.

In Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital, members of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and Trade Union Congress, TUC, in their thousands organised a march past held at the MKO Abiola Stadium in the state capital.

Addressing the crowd at the occasion, the state governor, Ibikunle Amosun, challenged Nigerians not to be dissuaded by the multi various challenges facing the country, rather they should remain hopeful, saying the unity of the country is not   negotiable

He however thanked  the state workforce and the citizenry for their unalloyed support for his administration in the socio economic development of the state,just as he promised to continue to implement those policies that would continue to guarantee the welfare of the workers

Things took another turn in Umuahia, the Abia state capital as the need for industrial harmony and security of lives and property was identified as a panacea for development during the workers day celebration held at Ibeku High School ground.

Governor Theodore Orji disclosed that the contributions of leadership of NLC,TUC and Abia workers has improved productivity thereby enhancing the economy of the state and commended them for imbibing the spirit of amicable settlement and peaceful resolution  of disagreements.

There is no gainsaying that workers have done a lot through their undiluted service for the growth of the country and its nascent democracy ,therefore there is need for the federal, state and local governments to look into and consider any issues that would ensure a better welfare package and conducive working environment for better productivity.