Abuja-Kaduna train attack: Ngige, NLC, FEPPPAN, LACAN commiserate with TUC

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige has commiserated with the Trade Union Congress (TUC) over the death of its Secretary General, Comrade Musa Lawal Ozigi, and Kwara State Chairman, Comrade Akinsola Akinwunmi, who were killed in the Kaduna train terror attack.

Ngige, in a condolence letter to the union, described the death of Ozigi and Akinwunmi as a huge loss to Nigeria’s tripartite community.

His words, “A dogged and consummate labour leader,” Ngige said his tragic death at the unfortunate Kaduna rail terror attack “is a devastating blow at a time Nigeria’s  tripartite is ever united in finding solutions to the bestriding challenges in the world of work, nay the nation at large.”

“We shall all miss his contributions. Ozigi’s self-effacing personality often belied his  depth of thought and ideas. His seminal contributions to discussions on labour issues no doubt earned him a place in over two decades of service to unionism starting from the Construction and Civil Engineering Senior Staff Association where he was Secretary General to joining the Congress in 2012.”

Also, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) said it received with utmost shock the news of the death of Comrade Ozigi, Comrade Akinwunmi, and other Nigerians who were murdered, maimed, or kidnapped during the Kaduna-bound train.

In a statement signed by its President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, NLC said, “The Nigeria Labour Congress condemns in the strongest words possible this national calamity. The tragedy of March 28, 2022 and the brazen assault on the Kaduna Airport a few days ago reveal once again that our country is terribly trapped in the throes of terrifying terrorists and banditry attacks.

“The message by the terrorists and bandits is crystal clear – no one is safe anymore anywherein Nigeria – whether by air, road or on the train. This must be the ultimate wake up call for the government. It is either the government and security agencies rise to the occasion once and for all or we would be singing the Nunc Dimittis to a civilised, sane and secured homeland.

“Just like previous terrorists and bandits’ attacks, government and security officials are wont to visit the sites of such carnage and issue routine “condemn and condole” statements and thereafter nothing proactive would be done. This kind of attitude tends to belittle the value placed on the life of the ordinary Nigerian. This is most tragic. This is also most unacceptable not only to Nigerian workers but the rest of the citizenry who are beginning to question the role of the state if the safety of lives and property can no longer be guaranteed.

“It is disheartening to note that our security intelligence appears to invest more resources into blackmailing individuals and groups perceived to be uncomfortable with government policies and actions rather than channelling tax payers’ money into confronting the dire security situations facing our country. We expect credible security intelligence that will help nip potential terrorist attacks in the bud.

“While we demand a swift and pungent response to last Monday’s bandits’ attack on the Abuja-Kaduna train and the recent terrorists’ attack on the Kaduna Airport, we call on the Federal Government of Nigeria and security agencies to take the crises of insecurity in our country as a prime test of the will of the state, a frontal challenge on resolve of the institutions of our civility and a daring assault on our sovereignty as a nation. The battle line has again been clearly drawn.”

On its part, the Federal Parastatals and Private Sector Pensioners Association of Nigeria (FEPPPAN) in its condolence message jointly signed by its President-General, Chief Temple Ubani and General Secretary, Mr Franklin Enrile, said, “We are pained and shocked to the heart to receive this heart wrecking news. Our dear Secretary-General, Comrade Musa-Lawal Ozigi, was a man whose actions were progressive. We know him to be a man who is poised to make a difference for the upliftment of our country.

“How can we ever console the Congress enough for this irreparable loss? This is one death too many! While our prayer is for the Almighty God to be with all he left behind, in the Congress and in his family, we call on the Federal Government to arrest those behind the killing and bring them to justice. We equally pray that all his children attain above the height their beloved father envisioned for them. Please accept our condolences.”

In the same vein, the leadership and members of the Labour Correspondents Association of Nigeria (LACAN) in a condolence message to TUC said, “LACAN members, like all Nigerians, are in shock over the dastardly and heinous crime which led to the loss of lives of these two perfect gentlemen and labour leaders per excellence.

“We also extend our heartfelt condolences to their families, the people of Kogi State and all Nigerians on this shocking loss and pray that almighty God grant their souls peaceful repose.”

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