By Ahmed Idris
The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) is the national trade union center representing workers across Nigeria. The Congress has remained at the forefront of advocacy for workers’ rights, improved welfare, and better working conditions.
Recently, the NLC has intensified protest against the worsening insecurity in the country , with demonstrations held in major cities such us Lagos and Abuja. These protests were aimed at drawing government attention to the alarming rise in killings, kidnappings, and other security concerns affecting workers and citizens alike.
Beyond insecurity, the NLC has consistently spoken out on critical national issues including fuel subsidy removal, pension reforms and general workers welfare. In June 2023, the NLC threatened a nationwide strike following the removal of fuel subsidies, a move that resulted in a sharp increase in fuel prices across the country.
The NLC was established to defend and promote the economic, political, and social rights of workers, enhance their living standards through fair wages, safe working conditions, and job security and foster a just and equitable society that guarantees equal opportunities for all, including gender equality.
The NLC was also aimed to ensure job security, and foster a fair, just society with equal opportunities for all workers, including gender equity. It also pays a vital role in advocating national development and industrialization.
Historically, the NLC has faced numerous challenges, as previous Governments often employed strategies that failed to adequately address Labour demands, frequently resulting in nationwide strikes. However, under the present administration of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, a renewed commitment to dialogue has emerged, an approach that has consistently yielded positive outcomes.
This remarkable progress has been largely attributed to the systematic, professional, and sincere intervention of a seasoned Labour leader and statesman, His Excellency, Comrade Dr Nasir Idris, Kauran Gwandu, drawing from his vast experience in the labour movement, Gov Idris has effectively deployed dialogue and communication as tools for achieving amicable resolutions between labour and government.
The Comrade-Governor, being an ex-NUT National President and former Vice-President of NLC and now the Executive Governor of kebbi State, left no stone unturned in ensuring peaceful engagement and mutually acceptable outcomes. His interventions have significantly contributed to industrial harmony in the nation’s labour-government relations.
The engagement of Kebbi State Governor by President Ahmed Bola Tinubu always brings positive results, thereby putting an end to the hitherto showdown of the nation’s workforce and lingering industrial disputes.
The Kebbi State Governor, Comrade Dr Nasir Idris is a leader with mission and vision, a leader who uses his experience to salvage Nigerian workforce.
Recently, the leadership of the NLC was planning to embark on a nationwide strike, barley some weeks to the end of the year. However, Mr President quickly engaged the Comrade-Governor to intervene, who swiftly swung into action and ensured that both parties went home smiling.
The demands of NLC included improved working conditions, better remuneration, enhanced healthcare, improved safety, job security and equal opportunity for career growth and development.
It’s worthy to note that engagement of the Comrade-Governor led to the achievement of 50 per cent of the requests presented to the president by the labour.
The Comrade-Governor believes that to build a prosperous, peaceful and successful Nigeria, government and labour must be on the same page and this can only be achieved through dialogue, understanding and tolerance from both parties. These have been the missing links that kept Nigeria under consistent industrial action.
It is therefore not out of place to state that Comrade Dr Nasir Idris has evolved beyond a mediator into peacemaker- a reconciler and a bridge between labour and government.
Through his efforts, kebbi State has remained actively relevant in addressing key national issues and promoting good governance.
Ahmed Idris is the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Kebbi State
