Gov AbdulRazaq Declares 18th NLC Harmattan School Open In Ilorin , Commends Labour’s Role In Industrial Harmony , National Devt

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara state  on Monday called on the labour unions in the country to always explore dialogue and mutual understanding in pressing home their demands from government, saying this will foster industrial harmony and hasten national development.

The governor specifically commended the labour unions for their contribution to national growth and policies of dialogue.

AbdulRazaq’s Chief Press Secretary,  Mr Rafiu Ajakaye noted in a statement made available to Team@orientactualmags.com  that the governor spoke in Ilorin  during  the opening ceremony of the Harmattan School organized by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

The event was held at the Michael Imoudu National Institute of Labour Studies (MINILS),Ilorin and the theme for this year’s session is ‘Expanding Nigeria’s Democratic Space for Trade Union Organizing in the World of Work’.

‘I use this platform to call for constant engagements, dialogue and mutual understanding to resolve all issues between stakeholders in the labour industry. This will foster industrial harmony, improve productivity, and hasten national development’ the Governor said.

AbdulRazaq  expressed hope that the gathering will evaluate the inner workings of labour organizations and foster understanding between employers and employees in formal and informal sectors alike. 

He commended the Director General of the Institute, Comrade Issa Aremu and his team for sustaining the age-long initiative that he called a smart way to bridge existing gaps in labour-government relations. 

The governor reaffirmed his government’s commitment to the welfare of workers in the State as part of the measures to promote industrial harmony. 

‘I congratulate the leadership of this great Institute and the NLC leadership for this creative initiative. It is a smart way to bridge existing gaps in labour government relations.

Our administration is always committed to industrial harmony. We are committed to workers’ welfare and mutual respect at all times. I commend the labour unions in Kwara State for always reciprocating our good faith thus far. I believe we can do a lot more together in the coming years’ he said.

AbdulRazaq urged participants to extend the knowledge from the event to others who were not present, noting that it is true such  a way that ‘our society can reap the full benefits of this laudable programme’.

In attendance were the  governor’s Special Adviser on Special Duties, Alhaji AbdulRazhaq Jiddah; Senior Special Assistant on Labour Matters, Abdulmumin Onagun;

NLC President , Comrade Ayuba Wabba; Deputy National President of NLC,  Alhaji Najeem Yasin; State Chairman of NLC , Comrade Issa Ore, representative of the Country Director for International Labour Organization (ILO),  Mrs Inviolata Chinyangarara; and  delegates of Trade Union Congress from Ghana, Sierra Leone and Liberia; among other labour leaders. 

Labour leaders ,who spoke at the occasion , dwelled on the need for the labour movement to be more organized while handling issues affecting their members across the federation. 

Director General of the Institute,  Comrade Issa Aremu,  said the theme for this year’s Harmattan School is well thought-out, adding that the organized labour knows that democracy offers them a better platform to advance their struggle for  decent work and a decent living.  

He said the forthcoming elections in Nigeria will largely be determined by labour issues like employment, wages, security of jobs and good governance, asking who among the presidential candidates are capable and ready to re-industrialize the Country, create jobs and pay workers a living wage.  

He praised AbdulRazaq for doing so much to promote comfort and dignity of the State workforce, alluding to the government’s commitment to the implementation of the new minimum wage and regular payment of salaries, among other pro-labour programmes. 

‘Comrades, let us shine our face; don’t judge anybody by the claims or covers. Look at their contents (manifestos). What are their antecedents? What are they up to? And I am happy that we have a governor here (AbdulRazaq), my host Governor, who has been tested and trusted.

I listened to Comrade Issa (State NLC Chairman) who confirmed that the Governor has paid the new minimum wage, including the consequential adjustment’ he said.

NLC President , Ayuba Wabba, in his keynote address, called on all employers of labour to prioritize the welfare of workers and recognize their pivotal roles towards achieving economic growth and national development. 

He asked the participants, who are labour leaders from across the country and beyond, to study well and make good use of what they might have learned to better their leadership structures and struggles at their workplaces . 

Wabba specifically commended Governor AbdulRazaq for his well-known love for workers in the state-. Team@orientactualmags.com Do you have any information you wish to share with us? Do you want us to cover your event or programme? Kindly send SMS to 08059100286, 09094171980. Thank you