Stories by Bimbola Oyesola, 08033246177
Organised Labour may have no option but to intensify its campaign for the review of the National Minimum Wage to improve the living condition of many Nigerians.
Speaking recently at the wake of Mrs. Titilayo Adeyemi, mother of the Nigeria Labour Congress’ Deputy President, Peters Adeyemi, chairman of the Oyo State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Kola Okunol, said the NLC and other unions in the labour movement must rise to the challenge of ending hungers in the land by ensuring that the battle for a new living wage is successful.
According to him, “the new wage is not only for workers, many Nigerians’ survival is dependent on the earnings of workers. An average worker has so many dependents, not only his immediate family but also artisans, mechanics, bricklayers, hair sylists, fashion designers, and market women.
“It is the responsibility of the NLC to see to it that workers’ welfare is improved through earning a living wage, which will also trickle down to others in the society.”
The CAN chairman lamented the current state of the country, noting that Nigerians are calling for re-branding of the nation.
He, however, stated that there was nothing out of place with whatever Nigerians are presently passing though as powerful nations in the world, like the United States of America, had walked the same path in the past.
“America passed through the same process. It is true that the colonial masters binded us together, it could be unholy association, but the fact that Nigeria is still together means that it is the grace of God”, he said.
Okunola condemned the corruption and excesses of the political leaders, burying money in graveyards while many Nigerians are hungry and live in abject poverty.
“I want our leaders and everyone of us to know that we will die one day, we are all clay, there is nothing we bring into this world and we cannot take anything away from it,” he said.
The cleric also called for the re-orientation of all citizens towards the country: “Nigerians should go back to the drawing board and check why we are in the present state, where are we going and where are we coming from?”
The CAN chairman maintained that it was the mercy of God that is still keeps Nigerians together in spite of the crises confronting the nation.
On his part, the NLC president, Ayuba Wabba, said the CAN chairman was speaking the minds of many Nigerians on the issue of the review of the national minimum wage.
“The CAN chairman was saying the truth and we hope that the Federal Government will see it the way other Nigerians see it and speed up the process,” he said.