Make 2025 strike-free yr, Labour Minister begs workers
* Says Tinubu committed to workers’ welfare
By Steve Oko
Worried by the crippling effects of strike actions on the economy, the Minister of State for Labour and Productivity, Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, has begged Nigerian workers to make 2025 strike-free year.
The Minister who spoke Thursday in a meeting with Abia labour leaders, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN); All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), and other trade union leaders in Umuahia, said incessant strikes “affect productivity and impede growth”.
Acknowledging the economic challenges in the country, the former lawmaker, said that President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, “is committed to the welfare of Nigeria workers.”
The Minister assured that President Tinubu would not renege in his promises to better the lot of workers.
She further assured that the national minimum wage recently increased by the President, would be regularly reviewed to reflect current economic realities.
The Labour Minister expressed confidence that the Labour Employment Enhancement Programme (LEEP) being proposed by the Ministry, would drastically reduce youth unemployment and hunger in the country.
She explained that the programme aimed at assisting youths to acquire skills for self reliance, would help many unemployed youths become employers of labour.
Describing workers as integral part of Government, the former Chief Whip, House of Representatives, said that the Ministry of Labour would follow up on every promise the President had made to ensure they were actualized.
She, therefore, appealed to workers to work harmoniously with Government and refrain from strike actions for more productivity and efficient service delivery.
Responding, the Abia State Chairman of NLC, Comrade Okoro Ogbonnaya, thanked the Minister for making out time out of her busy schedules to visit Abia labour leaders.
He also commended her for her spirited efforts to improve workers’ welfare and maturity in resolving disputes between labour and Government.
In a remark, the State Chairman of All Farmers Association, AFA, Mr Ndudim Ikeluwa, also commended the Minister for identifying with farmers.
He, however, solicited the assistance of federal government to Abia farmers especially farm inputs, credit facilities, fertilizer and modern equipment to go into commercial agriculture.
According to him, Abia has arable land for different crops but farmers in the state need government’s support to enable them embark on large scale farming.
Later in a press interview, the Minister who earlier met with traditional rulers at the conference hall of the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, said she appealed to them to help maintain peace in their respective communities.
She said she had robust discussions with the royal fathers and promised to convey their requests to Mr President.
Hon. Onyejeocha who described traditional rulers as critical stakeholders in the country, enlisted their continued support to the efforts of the President to rejig the economy.
The Minister also distributed bags of rice and some cash to the labour leaders, monarchs and other trade unions in the spirit of the Yuletide.
Former lawmakers including Chief Emeka Atuma, Hon. Chidi Nwosu, among other stalwarts of the All Progressives Congress, APC, accompanied the Minister during the visits.
Meanwhile, the royal fathers offered special prayer for the Minister for the honour she accorded them by paying them homage .
The Abia State Chairman of Traditional Rulers Council, HRM Eze Nto Mbah, commended her for representing Abia well at the Federal Executive Council, and urged her to support the on-going efforts of Gov. Alex Otti to transform the state.
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