MAY 1ST IS WORKERS DAY !
TEXT OF A PRESS CONFERENCE BY THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE NIGERIA LABOUR CONGRESS MAY DAY COMMITTEE COMRADE EMMA AJOKU, HELD ON APRIL 26, 2012, AT LABOUR HOUSE, ABUJA
Dear Comrades of the Press,
We welcome you to this press conference which is focused on informing workers and the Nigerian people about preparations of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) to mark the Workers Day on May 1, 2012.
As you are aware, workers all over the world will be marking the May Day. Nigerian workers under the umbrella of NLC and TUC will also commemorate this day in all the states of the country. At the different state councils of the NLC and TUC workers will on that day hold rallies, and they will be joined by allies of labour in the civil society.
At the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja, the day will be marked at the Eagle Square from 9.00am on Tuesday 1st of May 2012. The occasion will be addressed by the Presidents of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Abdulwaheed Omar and the Trade Union Congress Comrade Peter Esele. The traditional May Day procession and speeches from the Labour Movement and government functionaries as well as fraternal mass organizations will be part of the occasion.
The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan GCFR, is expected to be the Chief Guest of Honour. The Senate President, David Mark, Speaker of the House Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, the Minister of the FCT, Senator Bala Mohammed as well as friends of labour in the National Assembly, government, the diplomatic corps, other organisations in civil society are expected to be guests of the Labour Movement during this occasion.
The occasion of the May Day will be used to highlight the various struggles of the Nigerian workers. This will include the struggle for the National Minimum wage and the removal of the so called subsidy on petroleum products. Of course we cannot but mention the general social and economic challenges of the Nigerian workers and their families as the most vulnerable victims of the state obnoxious policies reflected in worsening social and economic crisis aided by wanton corruption with resultant insecurity in the country.
Thus, the theme of this year’s May Day; Right to Work, Food and Education: Panacea to Insecurity; will dwell on the nexus between employment, food, education and security. Hence this year’s May Day will address some of the issues on policy thrust to mitigate the prevailing national scourge.
On Monday April 30, 2012, the Labour Movement will hold a symposium on the theme: Right to work, Food & Education: Panacea to Insecurity. Key paper presentations will be made by the Honourable Minister of Agriculture; Dr. Akinwunmi Ayo Adesina and Professor Justice Onu of the University of Maiduguri. Comrades Hassan Sunmonu, Peace Obiajulu, former Presidents of NLC and TUC, Senator Uche Chukwumerijie are also expected to make presentations on this theme. Among the special guests to the symposium are; the Comrade Governor of Edo State, Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole, Comrades Pascal Bafyau, Ali Chiroma, who are past Presidents of the NLC, veterans and friends of labour.
This year’s May Day is particularly significant for so many reasons. The most important being that this year, precisely on August 19, 2012, we shall be marking the centenary of trade unionism in Nigeria. As we do this we shall be reflecting on the significant role that labour has played in the process of Nigeria’s development including the triumphs, the challenges and the travails during this 100 years journey.
The contributions of the labour movement within this period of Nigeria’s history have impacted so much on the social, political and economic life of the nation. The occasion of this May Day will therefore be used to kick start the process of this centenary commemoration. We shall critically assess the contributions of labour and the challenges of the working class especially within the context of deepening crises and contradictions of a neo-liberal global ideology, and of course, the way forward.
We therefore call on all workers and their families, professionals, women groups, youth and informal sector workers to join us in marking this historic day in the life of workers in Nigeria, and indeed the world over.
Let us stand up and be part of history!
Let us align with the forces of struggle for justice in Nigeria!!
Let us unite to salvage our country from the grips of a cabal!!!
It is possible to have another Nigeria where socio-economic justice is the bedrock of our democracy!!!!
THANK YOU
Chairperson
May Day Committee
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