Explore alternative means of generating funds  for survival, Niger SSG urges Trade unions

The Organised Trade Unions  in Niger State have been advised  to explore alternative means of generating funds without necessarily depending on the payment of check-off dues by members  which has not been forthcoming regularly in recent times as a result of the  dwindling monthly federal allocations.

The Secretary to  Niger State Government (SSG), Alhaji Ahmed Ibrahim Matane, gave the advice in his remark while at the opening ceremony of 2021 Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) State Level School Training, organised by the State Council of Nigeria Labour Congress, adding  that unions should create avenues to generate revenue.

“Why is it that medical and health workers, nurses and midwives cannot be said to have established and operate a model health centre where services can be provided and people can actually go and access?”

“Where are the agriculturists, they should be able to provide a farm where we can go and see that agriculture is all about an enterprise, and that is the only way the unions can survive,” he declared.

The SSG however gave kudos to the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) for taking up the challenge by establishing a model primary school at Chanchaga, which he pointed out,  was a demonstration of thinking out of the box by its leadership in the state .

He, thereby, called for the understanding of collective bargaining, and the need for conflict resolution approach to issues that have to do with welfare of members.

Also speaking at the occasion, the state Head of Service (HoS), Hajiya Salamatu T. Abubakar, explained that no nation can progress without education, training and retraining in capacity building for development, stressing that the training will give birth to a robust synergy that will reinvigorate the industrial relationship.

She said that her office had embarked on on-the-job-training for civil servants, beginning with the officers at the HoS, before moving to other ministries, departments and agencies.

The HoS called on the participants to be attentive and made use of the knowledge acquired, with action plans that were achievable.

Earlier,  the State chairman of the NLC, Comrade Yakubu Garba, in his welcome address, said the purpose of the training was to acquaint new crop of trade union leaders with requisite knowledge on emerging challenges, especially as it affects management and resolution of disputes using instruments of labour law.

He emphasised that the training was to promote and strengthen membership involvement in trade union activities by providing information that will form a basis for policy formulation, review, implementation and engagement.

Comrade Garba reiterated that labour movement was not only about civil servants welfare, but also has to do with lending of knowledge and voices in ensuring economic improvement of the state.

About 200 participants from different trade unions, drawn from the 25 local government areas of the state were involved in 10 days training taking place at Labour House, Minna.

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