ABUJA – The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Thursday urged Nigerians to embrace peace and unity as critical tools for national development.
Mr Abdulwahed Omar, the NLC President, made the call during the celebration of this year’s Workers’ Day in Abuja.
The theme for the event is “Building enduring peace and Unity’’.
Omar said peace and unity were vital for the survival of many nations, adding that Nigerians must be rightly concerned about enduring peace.
“The challenges of insecurity had continued to threaten peace and unity in the country, yet without enduring peace our nation cannot truly develop on a sustainable base.
“In the past few years, the nation has witnessed unprecedented security challenges that have tasked our imaginations, resources and temperament.
“From the Niger Delta to the northern part of the country, we have had one form of violence or the other that threatened the peace and security of the country.’’
He described the insurgency in the North East, with the kidnap of more than 200 female students at Chibok in Borno, as the most threatening.
“Our hearts bleed as we await their safety and release,’’ Omar said.
According to him, anytime a bomb goes off or people hear the sound of a gun, “the humanity in us dies”.
He expressed fear over the insurgency as people were losing their humanity, saying “we might even lose the entire nation if something drastic is not done’’.
The labour leader said that it was immoral to play politics with the life of citizens.
He said in spite of government’s effort to tackle the menace in the northern region, the situation was deteriorating, urging government to get to end the mayhem.
Omar also urged Nigerians to rise in unison to confront the enemy once and for all.
He, however, called on government to address the issues of functional education, unemployment and poverty with urgency.
“Government must of necessity and urgency deal with issues of functional education, unemployment and poverty,’’ he said.
Malam Bobboi Kaigama, the Presdent-General of the Nigeria Trade Union congress (TUC) called on the government to ensure that the economy was put back on track.
He said the nation was experiencing serious systemic failure, with homes being destroyed due to jobs loss.
“Homes are been destroyed, jobs shed and employees abused at will, business shut down.
“Our health care is not at its best, our schools are failing as results yearly rolled out by WAEC, GCE and NECO have testified.”
Kaigama said that each day further proved that the reform in the power sector might become a mirage all because of selfish interests.
Meanwhile, the Kano State chapter of the NLC cancelled all activities it initially planned to commemorate the day.
A reliable labour official told NAN in Kano on Thursday that the decision was taken to prevent possible breakdown of law and order.
“The rally and all other activities organised for the event have been cancelled in order to ensure the sustenance of the relative peace being enjoyed in the state.
“The NLC officials were advised by security agents to shelve the idea of holding any rally that is why the activities planned for the day were cancelled,’’ the source said.
Even the press conference initially organised by the NLC officials was also cancelled at the eleventh hour after many newsmen had gathered at the venue for the event.
Although no official reason was given for the sudden cancellation of the event, many armed policemen were later deployed to the venue of the aborted conference.
Efforts to contact the state NLC Chairman, Mr Inusa Danguguwa, failed as he switched off his mobile phone.
The May Day celebration is an historic event that symbolises the struggle and sacrifices of the working class to gain improved working conditions.
The international workers’ day is in commemoration of the May 4, 1886 Haymarket affair in Chicago, U.S.
The day is set aside to commemorate the struggle for eight working-hour.
This year’s is the 168th formal edition, while 68 countries are observing the day on which member countries declared a public holiday. (NAN)
