May Day Rally: Your Presence, unprecedented in Five years – NLC Tells Oyebanji
The State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Kolapo Olatunde Joshua has described the presence of Governor Abiodun Oyebanji at the May Day Rally today in Ado Ekiti as unprecedented in the last five years.
Delivering his speech at the ceremony which took place at the Ekiti Parapo Pavilion, New Iyin Road, Ado-Ekiti, Comrade Kolapo commended the State Governor for his numerous welfarism programmes since his assumption of office.
The ceremony started with various speeches from the chairmen of NLC; Comrades Kolapo Olatunde, and Trade Union Congress (TUC) Sola Adigun. Comptroller, Federal ministry of labor & employment Ekiti state, Comr adeola ajibabi also spoke at the event, commending the governor on oromot payment of workers salary.
The special guest, Gov. Biodun Oyebanji, in his speech, stated that the government would not stop prioritizing the welfare of workers in the State including the retired members of the active service, for their commitment and as a demonstration of government’s commitment to their welfare.
The Governor however, revealed that his administration, within the period had paid a total sum of N130 million outstanding gratuities to retired local government teachers and workers in Ekiti State.
According to the NLC Chairman, the theme for this year’s May Day celebration was “worker’s Right and socio-economic Justice”. that the theme is not only apt but very appropriate to suit the current situation in the country.
“The workers’ right and socio economic justice is very sacrosanct for inclusiveness, equity, egalitarian society and better living conditions of workers and their dependants as normal human beings” He said.
He further said, “as labour leaders we must be conscious of our covenant with members of our respective unions where we derive our statutory labour mandate, adhere with our oath of office and deliver our responsibilities without fear and compromise so that workers’ right and socio economic justice will continue to be at the front burner.
BRIEF HISTORY OF THE MAY DAY.
The May Day celebration is a product of struggle which occurred in Haymarket square massacre in 1886 in Chicago, when group of workers protested against long working hours and demanded for eight hours work day. The protest led to pandemonium which resulted in sentencing eight (8) workers to death because of their agitations for decent eight (8 working hours, this suppressing action will continue to haunt their tormentors
They taught they could kill the spirit but the flame of agitations for better welfare for working class and social justice has continued non abated.
