See more photos and speech below:Insuleto! Inafrica!!1. I am pleased to join you on this
important day of solidarity with workers around the world. I salute you,
all our hardworking men and women, who toil daily and relentlessly from
sunrise to sunset for the progress of our great nation.
2. Over
the years, through your valuable contribution and sacrifice, we have
achieved significant reforms in various sectors of our national life,
and made remarkable progress as a nation.
3. The struggles of
workers around the world have indeed come a long way, since the 1st day
of May was designated International Workers Day in 1904. Here at home,
the historical development of Nigeria as a nation is closely linked to
the history of the Trade Union Movement. The recognition of the Nigeria
Civil Service Union, by the British Colonial Government as the first
Trade union in the nation in 1912, set the pace for workers’ rights
awareness and the bravery and principled agitations that manifested in
the “Aba Women’s Riot” of 1929, the Coal Miners’ Strike of 1949, and
several other workers legitimate demands for economic justice.
4.
By pioneering organized rallying points for mass interest, these
movements strengthened the nationalist struggle for independence, and
provided the bedrock for a National labour platform, as today
represented by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
5. Who can
forget the dedication of the Teachers Unions?, the perseverance of
Association of Civil Servants? the picket lines of the Road Transport
Workers? or the resilience of the Textile Workers Union? and indeed the
solidarity and sacrifice of so many others, which has enabled the hope
we have today as a nation? I salute you all, your service and courage
will never be in vain.
6. This year’s Labour Day can rightly be
described as the Centenary Labour Day as it coincides with the hundred
years of the amalgamation of Northern and Southern Nigeria. This year’s
commemoration, appropriately affords special reflection and accords
special recognition to the historical and contemporary importance of the
Labour movement in the national project.
7. I have been informed
that a good number of activities involving workers shall be reviewing
“100 years of the Nigerian Worker”, with the theme – A Centenary Journey
of Service and Struggles. This will include a landmark Symposium, and
workers’ Lottery, to be administered by the Nigerian Lottery Regulatory
Commission (NLRC). I thank the Nigerian Labour Movement for its support
and involvement in organizing the Centenary Celebrations. I assure you
of my support during the workers’ events.
8. The Nigerian worker
is not only an important part of our history, but a pivot of our past,
present and future. That is why we are leaving no stone unturned towards
the practical enhancement of the welfare of all workers in both the
private and public sectors, and in facilitating better relations with
employers and government. Since the advent of this administration, our
actions and policies have been geared towards placing the country on the
path of sustainable progress, where everyone can better achieve his or
her dreams. That is the thrust of our Transformation Agenda.
9.
Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, the Transformation Agenda is about
taking and implementing measures today, in order to give our people a
brighter future. It is about creating jobs, creating wealth, and
ensuring a better deal for Nigerians. This is an onerous task that
requires the support of all our citizens.
10. Central to this
Transformation is the creation of a politically stable environment in
which economic development activities will flourish. To this end, we are
strengthening our democratic institutions, and confronting the
challenges facing our country with great determination and firmness.
11.
Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, Labour has been in the forefront of
the demand for good governance and increased action against corruption,
and these issues are being vigorously tackled on various fronts.
Prosecutions are being pursued in matters arising from Fuel subsidy
fraud, Embezzlement of Pension funds and other serious longstanding
malpractices demystified by this administration. I assure you of
accelerated and expanded action against all forms of corruption. Given
that some of these perpetrators are senior and junior members of labour
unions, greater attention to peer review action on the part of labour,
will be much appreciated.
12. As a result of our economic
policies, there have been significant improvements in our economic
fundamentals. Our economy grew by about 6.6% during 2012 and is set to
grow at a similar pace in 2013 according to independent forecasts. This
is quiet significant by global standards.
13. We have further
reduced our fiscal deficit in the 2013 budget to 1.81% of GDP, and cut
domestic borrowing. We have rebalanced our spending in favour of capital
expenditure. The rate of inflation also dropped to single-digit
territory at the beginning of this year.
14. At a time, many
advanced and emerging markets are being downgraded, our sovereign credit
ratings have been upgraded. We are however, not unmindful of the fact
that the ultimate benefit of these encouraging results, must reflect on
the lives of the most needy Nigerians. This remains our goal.
15.
We are also focused on economic inclusion, with articulated strategy
targeting the disadvantaged and unemployed in our society with economic
opportunities in agriculture, entrepreneurial support, graduate
employment and unskilled job programmes. We are also building robust
social safety net programmes, targeting pregnant mothers and children in
the health sector.
16. Through the Youth Enterprise with
Innovation in Nigeria (YouWiN!) programme we are supporting talented
young entrepreneurs to set up or expand their businesses, and employ
others.
17. Our port reforms are aimed at ensuring efficiency in
the handling of ports and related businesses and achieving 48 hours
clearance time for cargo. In the Power sector, the inevitable and
painstaking task of correction, construction and consolidation, is on
course, with the privatization of our electricity generation and
distribution companies boosted with significant foreign investors’
participation and confidence. Our railroads, major airports and federal
roads nationwide are also being comprehensively rehabilitated.
18.
Diversifying the economy away from the oil sector into agriculture,
housing, manufacturing, creative industries, and other sectors that
generate jobs and grow the economy has long being a national goal and
today, our Government is actualizing this as another fundamental goal of
our reform agenda.
19. I would like to use this opportunity to
thank the Labour Movement for its support of the Transformation Agenda. I
assure you that our efforts are sincere and informed by the need to
entrench good governance for the well-being of Nigerians.
20.
Trade disputes are inevitable in all social environments, but with
commitment to patriotic reason and dialogue, such disputes are easier
resolved. In the interest of national development, I urge all the social
partners – labour, employers etc. to embrace the rule of law in pursuit
of their rights in the workplace. Due process would minimize the
negative consequences caused by incessant industrial crisis in our
nation.
21. Ladies and Gentlemen, the Labour movement in our
country has historically been a partner in national progress. I enjoin
you to responsibly continue your hard work, resilience and commitment to
national development. We stand together in this transformation
undertaking and together in partnership, we will succeed in building a
new nation.
22. Insuleto! Inafrica!!
23. I Thank you
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