Ondo State workers joined their counterpart across the globe to commemorate this year’s International Workers’ Day, urging the Nigerian government to take urgent steps to address economic and security challenges facing the country.
The workers’ union, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) urged the Federal government to tackle unemployment and poverty to fight insecurity to save the country from imminent catastrophe and collapse.
The Chairman of the NLC in the state, Comrade Sunday Adeleye, urged the Federal Government to devise workable means of ending insecurity and other economic challenges that need urgent solutions which also include unemployment.
He said, “The country as we all know it is not at its best security-wise. The first and basic responsibility of any government is the protection of lives and properties of her citizens.”
He lamented that the country was no longer a safe place to live, pleading with President Muhammadu Buhari to seek international help without further delay.
“I am afraid to say is sliding into a state of anarchy where some elements in the name of bandits, kidnappers herdsmen daily kidnap, pick-up and kill innocent citizens unchecked is nothing short of an anarchical situation.
“We cannot continue like this, government must make up to its responsibility and be ready to face headlong this ugly issue of mindless killing of our people.
He commended the state governor, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu, for keeping to his promise that no worker in the state shall be sentenced to early retirement (grave) throughout his tenure as the governor of the state.
He said “Mr Governor you can be rest assured that Organised Labour will be ready to “partner” with the State Government in keeping workers on their job”
Also speaking, Chairman of TUC, Mrs Helen Odofin said that ” the level of insecurity of lives and properties in the nation has gotten to a height that one continues to wonder if the country has not completely failed.
“The traditional warfare method being used by our military is no longer fashionable and can never resolve the current spate of insecurity in the land.
“The innocent blood being shed on a daily basis and the high rate of these who have been rendered homeless is worrisome.
“We call on the Federal government to intensify effort to stem the tide of insecurity by embracing advanced technologies in fighting insurgency.
” We hasten to suggest that the President of the nation should seek help from international communities without delay by way of seeking support mercenaries.
On agitation for secession, Odofin called on political leaders to rise up to the occasion and stop the country’s drift to break up.
The chairman lauded the state government for not only engaging more workers but approved the promotion of deserving officers while many states are seeing the minimum wage as a financial burden.
Akeredolu, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Union Matters and Special Duties, Mr Dare Aragbaiye said his government would continue to give priority to workers welfare.
Akeredolu said “Undoubtedly, in the last four years plus, we have displayed a total commitment to the welfare of our workers.
“We believe the workforce is the engine room of governance. We have placed a premium on sanitizing the civil service and depoliticizing the system.
“We have severed ties with the obnoxious practice that views all issues affecting the civil service from the prism of politics and ethnicity.
“Promotion and appointment of workers and Permanent Secretaries have been done as and when due, and on merit.
“We shall continue to pursue excellence and provide a good working environment so that the workforce will continue to function effectively,” he said.
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