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  • Hassan Sunmonu at 85

    Hassan Sunmonu at 85

    •Happy birthday to the Labour leader with many milestones

    “Organise, Don’t Agonise” – the title of his book – captures his essence as a veteran Labour leader. The cover describes it as “the memoirs of an African trade union icon,” covering “tactics, trials and triumphs from six decades in the trenches.” The book launch was the high point of the celebration of Alhaji Hassan Sunmonu’s 85th birthday on January 7, in Abuja. 

    In a newspaper review, historian Prof. Toyin Falola observed that the work “is not just a collection of memories and experiences, it is also a collection of arguments and efforts to advance a global view of organisation, leadership, and national responsibility.” He described the author as “a seasoned leader who navigates the uneasy intersection among the workforce, the state, and waves of international politics.” Falola concluded that the memoir is “a serious book that rewards critical engagement and deserves a significant place in conversations about labour, power, and the unfinished project of Nigerian democracy.”

    Sunmonu, who comes from Osogbo in Osun State, achieved significant milestones in his career: he was the pioneer president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), serving two terms from 1978 to 1984, and later became the longest elected secretary-general of the Organization of African Trade Union Unity (OATUU) in Accra, serving from 1986 to 2012.

    Under his leadership, the NLC was victorious in the battle to make May 1 (Labour Day) a public holiday in the country; furthermore, he led the fight for a new minimum wage of N125 in 1981 – a landmark achievement that redefined the Nigerian worker’s standard of living – following a successful nationwide strike under the President Shehu Shagari administration.

    Indeed, he revolutionised Labour through “The Workers’ Charter of Demands” in February 1980, which demanded that a national minimum wage and a minimum pension scheme be institutionalised based on the practice in developed countries. This has been described as “the first agenda-setting document for decent work by Nigeria’s working class.”

    At the continental level, the Sunmonu leadership built a new secretariat for OATUU in Accra, and established the Kwame Nkrumah Africa Labour College, Accra.

    This commitment to the struggle dates back to his studies at the Yaba College of Technology, Lagos, where he earned a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Civil Engineering. In his final year at the institution, he was president of its student union and an executive of the National Union of Nigerian Students. He later obtained a post-graduate diploma in Highway Engineering in Italy.

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    As a professional civil engineer in the Federal Ministry of Works, he was involved in several projects, including Zaria – Kano Road reconstruction; Igolo – Porto Novo Road (Benin Republic); dualisation of Denton Causeway (Oyingbo – Iddo, Lagos); construction of the National Arts Theatre, Lagos; and construction of the Third Mainland Bridge, Lagos.

    Notably, President Bola Tinubu, in a birthday message, highlighted Sunmonu’s immense contributions to nation-building and commended his commitment to the welfare of Nigerian workers. The president observed that “his emergence at the pinnacle of the labour movement is instructive,” noting that before the NLC’s formation in 1978, the Obasanjo government had disbanded four national labour unions.

    At his 85th birthday celebration in Abuja, Sunmonu’s activism remained undiminished. He called for stronger collaboration among unions, stressing that unity is the only way to advance workers’ interests. His final argument served as a challenge to the nation: “If Nigeria can harness its mineral resources, Nigeria has no business with poverty.”

    His achievements have earned him high-level recognition both at home and abroad; he is a recipient of the Nigerian national honour, Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON), and the National Order of Burkina Faso.

    He remains relevant for his example as an effective organiser and vigorous campaigner for workers’ welfare.  

  • Celebrating Hassan Sunmonu @ 85

    Celebrating Hassan Sunmonu @ 85

    • By Issa Aremu

    Yesterday, January 7, comrades, progressive forces and well-wishers converged in Abuja for the 85th birthday celebration of Comrade Hassan Adebayo (HA) Sunmonu OON. Comrade HA was the pioneer founding president of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), twice elected NLC President (1978 to 1984). He was   the longest elected secretary-general of Organization of African Trade Union Unity (OATUU) based in Accra (October 1986 to December 2012, some 26 years and two months). He was a regular delegate at conferences International Labour Organization spanning decades. The high point of the 85th birthday celebration was the formal presentation of his memoirs titled “Organize, Don’t Agonize”.

    Born with his identical twin brother, Engr Hussein Sunmonu on January 7, 1941 at Osogbo, in Osun State, the Sunmonus are the most spectacular identical twins to see any day! It seems age sharpens their similarities in mannerism and outlook. I recall in  2010, HA was honoured by Micheal Imoudu Institute for Labour Studies ( MINILS), Ilorin with a fellowship in recognition of his consistent promotion of labour education. His twin brother Hussein represented him. As a privileged reciter of the profile of the recipient, only myself and the then Director General of the Institute, John Olanrewaju knew it was Hussein Sunmonu who took the centre-stage and NOT Comrade HA! Many were in disbelief when Engr Hussein disclosed he was receiving the award on behalf of his twin brother who could not come in person! The difference was not clear in their voices, gesticulation and jokes.

    HA is an acknowledged, tested, committed trade unionist, a patriot, a pan Africanist and a global citizen of profound integrity. He was raised and mentored in a developmentalist Nigeria; a product of the then functional public schools.

    He started his education career at Ansar-Ud-Deen School in Osogbo from 1948 – 1950. He attended All Saints School, Osogbo from 1950 – 1954, where he got his First School Leaving Certificate in December 1954; and then in 1955, Osogbo Grammar School and from there to Yaba Technical Institute in September 1957. He obtained General Certificate in Education (GCE) Ordinary Level in 1961, later bagged the Secondary Technical Certificate, moved to Yaba College of Technology from 1961 to 1964 and obtained the Ordinary National Diploma (OND) in Civil Engineering and the Higher National Diploma (HND) in Civil Engineering. HA proceeded to Italy for a post-graduate diploma course in Highway Engineering. His educational grounding shows that contrary to the false class assumption of the ruling (ruining!) elite, the labour movement is indeed knowledge led.

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    One essential imprint of HA is cultivating a knowledge-based movement. As the founding president of the NLC, he consciously attracted first class, conscious graduate activists to the NLC as full time officers. On graduating in the late 80s, he single-handedly pulled me out of an equally fulfilling media job to the NLC to swell the ranks of the NLC Secretariat ably led by late Dr Lasisi Osunde, supported by tested comrades like Lawson Osagie, Dr Yahaya Hashim, Salisu Muhammed, Femi Aborishade and a number of others. He pioneered the inclusion of labour candidates on the participants list of NIPSS, Kuru Jos.

    A witty wag and a “mobile library”, trade unionists and comrades alike globally cannot wait for his compelling memoir! As the president of the NLC, he was a resource fellow at the seminar series of Senior Executive course (SEC 2) of 1980. After the usual question and answer sessions, he demanded for labour participation at the executive course initiated by Obasanjo military regime meant to build capacity for executives drawn from the tripod of government, business and labour communities with the objective of working towards a better society. Since then, NLC/TUC had sent scores of participants who are now members of the National Institute (mnis).

    HA was almost an activist by birth. And he is still organizing at 85 (a national trustee of Academic Staff Union of Universities ASUU!). He was a star veteran speaker at the 2025 May Day rally at Eagle Square in Abuja. Once an organizational man, always one! Comrade Hassan Sunmonu was once an active students’ union leader; secretary, Muslim Students’ Society (MSS), Yaba Technical Institute Branch from 1958 – 1961, national auditor, Muslim Students’ Union Society of Nigeria between 1962 -1967, President, Yaba College of Technology Students’ Union between September 1966 – June, 1967. He was president, National Association of Technological Students (NATS) between September 1966 – June, 1967 and second vice president, National Union of Nigerian Students (NUNS) between September 1966 – June 1967.

    His unblemished trade union career has spanned well over five decades! He was once the second assistant secretary (international), Public Works Aerodrome Technical and General Works’ Union of Nigeria between August 1974 – November 1977; president, Civil Service Technical Workers Union of Nigeria between November, 1977 – February, 1981; president, Nigeria Labour Congress between February 1978 – February, 1984;, Director of Industrial Relations, Civil Service Technical Workers Union of Nigeria between march 1984 – October, 1986. Until recently he was the Secretary-General, Organisation of African Trade Union Unity (OATUU) from October 1986. HA’s trade union career was both by popular elections through workers’ votes and also full appointment.

    Following the recommendations of the Justice Adebiyi Tribunal of Inquiry into the Activities of the Trade Unions in 1977, under the military, some unionists including number one labour leader, Chief Micheal Imoudu were “banned” from trade union activities. Under the controversial policy of “guided democracy” and “limited government intervention”, the military regime of Olusegun Obasanjo had aimed at cultivating a tamed and subservient labour centre. However, the workers reaffirmed their preference for independent organization by electing Hassan Sunmonu as the first president of the restructured congress in 1978 with others like D.C. Ojeli, P.O. Ero-Philips, late M. E. Mpamungo, deputy president, treasurer and deputy treasurer respectively. HA’s leadership of NLC from 1978 to 1984 is a compulsory read for today’s trade unionists on how to operate under a new democratic dispensation. NLC under HA fought and won the battle to make May 1 a public holiday, fought and won the struggle for a new minimum wage of N125 ($240) in 1981 after a successful nation-wide strike under President Shehu Shagari’s administration. Given the current poverty of knowledge on the imperatives of national minimum wage among most state governors, legislators, I recommend Comrade Hassan Adebayo and his memoirs for beginners in minimum wage determination through collective bargaining and collective actions.

    Notwithstanding the divisive strategy of the Second Republic politicians aimed at splitting the NLC, into “democrats” and “Marxists”, HA sustained the unity of the trade movement through all-inclusive ideologically-driven movement. He championed similar unity efforts within NLC in 2015 under his respected chairmanship.

    Very few unionists courageously talked straight to power. The historic Charter of Demands under HA leadership remains the first agenda-setting document for decent work by Nigeria’s working class. As a worker, Comrade Hassan Sunmonu had added value to developmentalist Nigeria. As an engineer with Federal Ministry of works, he worked on so many offices and road projects that included Zaria – Kano Road reconstruction; Igolo – Porto Novo Road (Benin Republic); dualization of Denton Causeway (Oyingbo – Iddo, Lagos) by direct labour; construction of the National Arts Theatre, Lagos; and construction of the Third Mainland Bridge, Lagos, among others.  A multi-linguist; he is fluent in Yoruba, English, French, Italian and Twi (Ghanaian language). HA has been honoured nationally and internationally. Recipient of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) on December 18, 2001, he was also honoured with the National Order of Burkina Faso in December, 2009.

    Happy 85th  birthday to both HA, twin brother, Hussein Sunmonu, and providentially his wife, Alhaja Wasilat Titilayo Sunmonu, who shares birthday with him and turns 76 today! Happy birthday to a legendary veteran comrade.

    •Comrade Aremu mni is Director General Micheal Imoudu National Institute for Labour studies, Ilorin, Kwara State

  • Sunmonu to Buhari: don’t succumb to IMF pressure on fuel subsidy

    The founding President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Alhaji Hassan Sunmonu, has advised President Muhammadu Buhari not to adhere to the recent call by the International Monetary (IMF) to remove subsidy on petrol if he does not want to lose the support of the people.

    Sunmonu spoke yesterday in Lagos during the public presentation of the Minority Report & Draft Constitution of the 1976 Constitution Drafting Committee, a document authored by Dr. Olusegun Osoba (not the politician) and the late Yusufu Bala Usman.

    The trade unionist, who chaired the event,  said Nigeria should not go back to the 1980s when the country became a debtor nation and the IMF influenced the cut in subsidy on education, health, transportation, as well as the stopping of the rail system that was being built then.

    He said: “Now, the Buhari administration is bringing back the railways – not even the narrow gauge, but the standard that you can have trains that can run at 200 kilometres per hour or more. This is what the IMF influenced our government under Babangida to stop. After it destroyed our education, it now came up with what it called IMF support for education.

    “So, we want President Buhari to be very, very careful of the neo-liberalists that surround him and who are intent on taking Nigeria back to those dark days; Nigerians would no longer accept such. I also like to advise that this book which has been launched today should be the basis for a new constitution that we hope will be done within the next to one year, to supplant the one that is currently taking Nigeria backwards.”

    Speaker after speaker at the event emphasized the fact that the problems bedevilling the country today would have been nipped in the bud if the authorities then had accepted the report and made it part of the constitution.

    The co-author of the book, Dr Osoba, 83, said restructuring is a recurring lie in the lexicon of the ruling class because it is presented as a one-stop solution that can solve all the economic and social ills in the country. He said restructuring as being presented by its proponents is all about creating more states and introduction of resource control, to give more opportunities and access to the ruling class to continue to loot the treasury.

    Osoba said: “They’re only talking about sharing power and wealth horizontally, among states, ethnicity and religion; not vertically from top to bottom and that’s the most important form of restructuring. The continuous struggle is the only solution to our problem; not restructuring.

    Read also: Is fuel subsidy ideologically inevitable?

    “We stand to present this book, which we hope will correct the problems facing the nation – through a democratic constitution.”

    He said change cannot come easily to Nigerians and that they have to struggle for it because the people at the helm of affairs would not allow it because the status quo favours them. He said change can only be brought about by overthrowing the existing order. He said all the developed nations of the world had, at one point or the other, overthrew the old order to make progress.

    Attahiru Bala Usman, son of the co-author, the late Yusufu Bala Usman, also said the “Minority Report” would add value because there were many things that were thrown out by the soldiers that foisted the current flawed constitution on Nigerians. He said the report is now published with a new introduction to bring it to the knowledge of the public and to make it available to members of the National Assembly; so that Nigerians can talk about it.

    Usman said: “We are going to give this to all members of the National Assembly, civil society groups. The same way people struggled for Nigeria’s independence, the same way people struggled to abolish slavery, the same way other people are going to struggle to improve this democracy.”

    Centre for Democratic Development Research and Training Director Dr Abubakar Siddique Mohammed said the book could not be launched 42 years ago, because they were attacked by the police when they attempted to do so.

    He said: “At that time, the government did not want the public to know what was in the document, they didn’t want it. So, a majority of the members of the Constituent Assembly also didn’t want it released. But we decided that given the magnitude, the weight of the document and what the document was trying to deal with, the Nigerian public should know so that there will be public debate as to what should be the content of our constitution. So, we shouldn’t allow the government to bury it. So we organised the rally.

    “Since then so many things have happened in Nigeria. We decided to revisit this report because of major developments in this country in which the report actually raised 42 years ago. For example, 42 years ago, they said anybody who has attained the age of 30 can contest elections in Nigeria. The issue of social justice – the right to education, the right to health, security and so on and so forth – they (the report) mentioned that it should be made justiciable, but they were ignored. If you look at certain sections of the 1999 Constitution, they are there, but all these things are not justiciable. You can’t take your governor to court because he has denied you education, he stole the money and did not build schools; you can’t take anybody to court because he failed to build hospitals or hospitals have been built but he has failed to equip them; you can’t take anybody to court because he has failed to protect your life. Yet, we vote money every year for security.

    “Look at what is happening all over the country; the things these people (the two authors) talked about, wrote about and warned us about 42 years ago, we are now facing. Take the issue of citizenship. The simple definition of citizenship; we have a simple definition of citizenship (in the report). Now we have two: citizenship of Nigeria and citizenship of a particular state and this clash has led to a series of conflicts in this country.”

    The director said thousands of people have died because of this indigene/settler issue. He added: “They (the authors) predicted that there would be problems if it wasn’t solved 42 years ago. We are now facing the problem. Even those who rejected the report at that time are now talking about them.”

    Book reviewer Femi Falana explained what led to the writing of the “Minority Report”. He said the report came up because the two members of the Constitution Drafting Committee disagreed with the report authored by the remaining 47 members, led by the late Rotimi Williams (SAN).

    Falana said if Osoba’s and Usman’s input had been accommodated, it would have helped to solve some of the problems currently facing the country.

     

  • ‘We have come a long way’ – Hassan Sunmonu

    ‘We have come a long way’ – Hassan Sunmonu

    As the first President of the NLC, how does it feel to be alive to witness this historical 40 years of labour unionism in Nigeria?

    I was the first President and together with the General Secretary, we ran the congress for six years. We finished then first term of three years because it was three years then we worked under the military and under civilian government and another military. It was not like this time when it is only civilian. At that time, you are considered a threat at every effort and you could be locked up for severally months or years. Today, it is not like that and it is different from the situation under which we worked. We had a restructured trade union system where we had almost 1000 in house unions structured into 42 industrial unions that made up the Nigeria Labour Congress. We had no factions because four former labour centres merged, they called special conferences to formally dissolve themselves, surrendered their certificates before the present NLC was formed on the 28th of February, 1978. Don’t forget the fact that the name government wanted the NLC to be called Central Labour Organisation. It was the only thing that the constitution that was drafted for the NLC at the inaugural conference at Ibadan could amend because it was a one day conference. So, the only thing we were able to change in the constitution was the name because we wanted to maintain the name and be called Nigeria Labour congress.  From there, we started from a building that was hired for us by the federal government on Ikorodu road. We knew that one of the assets we inherited from one of the merging centres was a building along Olajuwon road which had not been completed that time. We got hold of the building which was being taken over by the government. We told the government that it was our building and we got them to reconstruct the building and made it our secretariat. We were given N1 million subvention. What we did at our first NEC meeting was how to share the money and it was decided that each of the 42 industrial, unions should get N10,000. From there, we started organising the state councils. We had 19 states at that time and so, we went round the country to launch the state councils of the NLC which was very appropriate at that time because the industrials unions had not been able to establish state councils. It was the NLC stage councils that helped the industrial unions to take off and was servicing their members. That was part of what we did in our first term of office and we also tried to bring acceptability to the trade union movement. We started to employ staff on full time especially graduates. All the Assistant secretary were graduates. We also ensured that NLC nominate candidates for the senior executive course in NIPSS and since then, NLC and its affiliates started having members attend the course.

    It was during our time that we fought for May Day to be made public holiday in honour of the sacrifice being made by the workers in nation building. There was no minimum wage by law in Nigeria until 1981 when we called a national strike before we got the minimum wage. At the continental level, we were very active, while making contribution to national discourse. It got to appoint where we had to organize a workshop and came up with the slogan, Nigeria not for sale in October 1983. We are not like politicians who want to sit-tight or some President who want third term.

    There was a proposal to amend the NLC constitution to allow us go for another term because they felt we were doing very well and we said no. Ali Ciroma succeeded us and we were opposed to structural adjustment programme and he continued in the fight.

    That is why Babangida tried to destabilise the NLC because of our opposition to SAP. We floored the government in the public debate they organised and the Nigerian people rejected it. Kalu Idika Kalu who was Finance Minister was campaigning on behalf of government while the NLC was campaigning on behalf of the Nigerian people. It is good that after 40 years, we are still alive even though we have lost a number of people in the struggle.

    Some Nigerians believe that the NLC now is not as vibrant as it was during your time. What is your take on that?

    The situation in 1978 is not the same situation today. I told you that the subvention we were given was like one million dollars. Look at the purchase power parity between then and now. What Nigerians don’t realise is that the leadership if NLC did not come from mars.

  • Essential Hassan Sunmonu (HA) @ 75

    Today, January 7, all roads lead to Osogbo, for the 75th birthday celeberation of the pioneer founding President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and twice elected NLC President (1978 to 1984), Comrade Alhaji Hassan Adebayo (HA) Sunmonu OON, and the longest serving former Secretary-General of Organization of African Trade Union Unity (OATUU) based in Accra. Born with his identical twin brother, Engr Hussein Sunmonu on January 7, 1941 at Osogbo, in Osun State, the  Sunmonus are the most spectacular identical twins to see any day! It seems age sharpens their similarities in mannerism and outlook. In 2010, HA (as he is fondly and comradely addressed) was honoured by Micheal Imoudu Labour Institute, Ilorin. His twin brother Hussein represented him. As a privileged reciter of the profile of the receipent, only this writer and the Director General of the Institute, John Olanrewaju knew it was Engr Hussein Sunmonu who took the centre-stage and NOT Comrade HA! Many were in disbelief when Engr Hussein disclosed he was receiving the award on behalf of his twin brother! The difference was not clear in their voices, gestulation and jokes.

    HA is an acknowledged tested, committed trade unionist, a patriot, a pan Africanist and a global citizen of profound integrity. He was raised and mentored in a developmentalist Nigeria. A product of the then functional public schools, he started his education career at Ansar-Ud-Deen School in Osogbo between 1948 – 1950. He attended All Saints School, Osogbo between 1950 – 1954, where he got his First School Leaving Certificate in December 1954; 1955, Osogbo Grammar School then to Yaba Technical Institute in September 1957. He obtained General Certificate in Education (GCE) Ordinary Level in 1961, later bagged the Secondary Technical Certificate, moved to Yaba College of Technology between 1961 to 1964, obtained the Ordinary National Diploma (OND) in Civil Engineering, the Higher National Diploma (HND) in Civil Engineering.

    HA proceeded to Italy for a Post-Graduate Diploma Course in Highway Engineering. His educational grounding shows that contrary to the false class assumption of the ruling (ruining!) elite, the labour movement is indeed knowledge led. One essential imprint of HA is cultivating a knowledge-based movement. As the the founding President of the NLC, he consciously attracted first class conscious graduate activists to the NLC as full time officers. On graduating in the late 80s, he single-handedly pulled me out of equally fulfilling media job to the NLC to swell the ranks of the NLC Secretariat ably led by late Dr Lasisi Osunde, supported by tested comrades like Lawson Osiagie, Dr Yahaya Hashim, Salisu Muhammed, Femi Aborishade and a number of others. He pioneered the inclusion of labour candidates on the participants list of NIPSS, Kuru Jos. A witty wag and a “mobile library”, trade unionists and comrades alike globally cannot wait for his compelling memoir! As the President of the NLC, he was a resource fellow at the seminar series of Senior Executive course (SEC 2) of 1980. After the usual question and answer sessions, he demanded for labour participation at the executive course initiated by Obasanjo military regime meant to build capacity for executives drawn from the tripod of government, business and labour communities with the objective of working towards a better society. Since then NLC/TUC had sent scores of participants who are now members of the National Institute (mnis)

    HA was almost an activist by birth. And he is still organizing at 75 (not agonizing as most young ones do today!). He was a star marcher at late last year’s NLC mass protest rallies in Abuja for good governnace and against corruption. The rally led by NLC President, Ayuba Wamba  took off from Labour House down to Eagle Square traversed the EFCC office at Maitama, the National Assembly and terminated at the office of the new Secretary to the Federal Government. I bear witness that HA never paused for as long as the 20+ kilometres march lasted  addressing  the rallies interminenetly with others. Once an organizational man, always one! Comrade Hassan Sunmonu was once an active Students’ Union leader; Secretary, Muslim Students’ Society (MSS), Yaba Technical Institute Branch between 1958 – 1961, National Auditor, Muslim Students’ Union Society of Nigeria between 1962 -1967, President, Yaba College of Technology Students’ Union between September 1966 – June, 1967. He was President, National Association of Technological Students (NATS) between September 1966 – June, 1967 and Second Vice President, National Union of Nigerian Students (NUNS) between September 1966 – June 1967.

    His unblemished trade union career has spanned well over four decades! He was once the second Assistant Secretary (International), Public Works Aerodrome Technical and General Works’ Union of Nigeria between August 1974 – November 1977; President, Civil Service Technical Workers Union of Nigeria between November, 1977 – February, 1981; President, Nigeria Labour Congress between February 1978 – February, 1984;, Director of Industrial Relations, Civil Service Technical Workers Union of Nigeria between march 1984 – October, 1986. Until recently he was the Secretary-General, Organisation of African Trade Union Unity (OATUU) from October 1986. HA’s trade union career and that of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole expose the fallacy of apartheid theory and intellectual distortions of some “scholars” who want to turn full-time/appointed against part time/elected unionists as witnessed during Abacha’s  discredited regime.

    Following the recommendations of the notorious Justice Adebiyi Tribunal of Inquiry into the Activities of the Trade Unions in 1977, some unionists including Chief Micheal Imoudu were “banned” from trade union activities. Under the controversial policy of “guided democracy” and “limited government intervention”, the military regime of Obasanjo had aimed at cultivating a tamed and subservient labour centre. However the workers reaffirmed their preference for independent organization by electing Hassan Sunmonu as the first President of the restructured congress in 1978 with others like D.C. Ojeli, P.O. Ero-Philips, late M. E. Mpamungo, Deputy President, treasurer and deputy treasurer respectively. HA’s leadership of NLC from 1978 to 1984 is a compulsory read for today’s trade unionists on how to operate under a new democratic dispensation. NLC under HA fought and won the battle to make May 1 a public holiday, fought and won the struggle for a new minimum wage of N125 ($240) in 1981 after a successful nation-wide strike under President Shehu Shagari’s administration. Given the current poverty of knowledge on the imperatives of national minimum wage among most state governors, legislators (and surprisingly some notable journalists who should know better!) at 75, I recommend Comrade Alhaji Hassan Adebayo for beginners in minimum wage determination through collective bargaining. The best tribute to HA at 75 is immediate commencement of a new minimum wage. The current N18,000 ($90) is miserably short in nominal and real terms than HA’s N125 ($180) of 1981 which today ammounts to N35,000 (no thanks to criminal naira devaluation and serial energy price increases of IMF’s inspired  SAP of the mid- 80s).

    Notwithstanding the divisive strategy of the second Republic politicians aimed at splitting the NLC, into “democrats” and “Marxists”, HA sustained the unity of the trade movement through all inclusive ideologically-driven movement. The current unity efforts within NLC is under his respected chairmanship.

    Very few unionists courageously talked straight to power. The historic Charter of Demands under HA leadership remains the first agenda-setting document for decent work by the Nigeria’s working class. As a worker, Comrade Hassan Sunmonu had added value to developmentalist Nigeria. As an engineer with Federal Ministry of works, he worked on so many offices and road projects that included Zaria – Kano Road reconstruction; Igolo – Porto Novo Road (Benin Republic); dualization of Denton Causeway (Oyingbo – Iddo, Lagos) by direct labour; construction of the National Arts Theatre, Lagos; and construction of the Third Mainland Bridge, Lagos, among others.  A multi-linguist; he is fluent in Yoruba, English, French, Italian and Twi (Ghanaian language). HA has been honoured nationally and internationally. Recipient of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) on December 18, 2001, he was also honoured with the National Order of Burkina Faso in December, 2009. Happy 75th birth day to both HA  and twin brother, Hussein Sunmonu!!

     

    • Aremu, mni, is Secretary General, Alumni Association of the National Institute, Kuru   Jos.  

     

  • How to identify good economy, by ex-NLC President Sunmonu

    How to identify good economy, by ex-NLC President Sunmonu

    •Aregbesola flays drop in federal allocation •Osun’s economic indices impressive’

    Former President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Hassan Sunmonu has said the only way to identify a good economy is that it must identify and meet the needs of the masses.

    Sunmonu spoke in Osogbo, the Osun State capital during a two-day economic summit entitled, “Orisun Aje 2014: Crux of Economic Developmental Masterplan”.

    The summit was organised by Peoples’ Welfare League (PWL).

    Its National Coordinator, Comrade Abiodun Agboola, yesterday said available indices about economic activities in Osun State have clearly shown that the state has moved up the ladder of economic development.

    He also disclosed that the recent classification of Osun State by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) as the seventh largest economy in Nigeria and Renaissance Capital, an international financial rating agency, was an indication that the state was in the “first row of developed economies” in the country.

    The NBS and Renaissance Capital , in 2012, rated the economy of the state as the seventh largest and fastest growing in Nigeria. It also rated it as the second best in the country in terms of Gross Domestic Products (GDP) after Lagos.

    Agboola said the summit was to critique the economic activities in the state and the radical development of the state under Governor Rauf Aregbesola, adding that the summit would afford stakeholders, drawn from different segments of the society, the opportunity to examine the state’s economy critically.

    According to him, the useful indices emanating from the state were responsible for the decision of the league to do a thorough critique of the economy with a view to finding out the veracity of NBS’ rating as well as the impact of the economy on the people of the state.

    “We found some indices useful, which include enabling environment. The political will to encourage investors was found here, and the security of investment was also guaranteed, and most significantly the overhauling of infrastructure was detected.

    “In that premise, it is a fact that some industries have found a safe haven in this state, a resultant effect has been the meaningful engagement of hundreds of unemployed youths in the state,” he revealed.

    While explaining some of the key issues for deliberations at the summit, the national coordinator noted that discussants would x-ray the working formula of Ogbeni Aregbesola’s administration and the impacts of his economic formula on the people of the state.

    “We would want to know why agriculture was made to do wonders for revenue generation before the discovery of crude oil in Nigeria and why it was neglected at the arrival of the black gold, and the consequences of the neglect now.

    “To do this, we chose the concept of ‘O’Meal’ which provides chain for the revolving of agriculture produce and market coupled with empowerment of the stakeholders, where one category is empowered for mental development for cognitive functions, while the other is empowered with meaningful and productive engagement.

    “My group has been on ground critiquing budgets of the successive governments in the last few years, because we believe that budget, when passed into law, is one law that must be obeyed through administration of resources at appropriate places, and now we have pushed it to the economic summit, because there are indicators and indices to judge the performance of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola’s administration in the last 41 months,” he said.

    Aregbesola said no Nigerian has any reason to be poor in view of the enormous resources available in the country.

    He averred the importance of developmental economics, adding that his administration has performed excellently in this regard by impacting the people of the state through thoughtful programmes of his government.

    He, however, decried the reduction in federal allocation to the state, noting that federal allocation accruable to the state had reduced by 40 per cent in recent times.

    Sunmonu, who was one of the co-chairmen of the summit, said the summit was timely in view of its capacity to open the state to outside world through unbiased critique of the state’s economy, adding that Osun State has every resource to develop and become the best economy in the country.

     

  • Babangida Aliyu: A Colossus @ 58

    Not many knew Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu’s pedigree as a unionist. His activism predates the now controversial G7. Way back in the early 80s, he had etched his footprints on the sands of the nation’s democratic struggles as one of the leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) under the administration of former President Shehu Usman Aliyu Shagari. His chairmanship position in the Niger State chapter of the NLC thrust on his shoulders the responsibility of being a major actor and one of the prime negotiators in the many interfaces between the Nigerian workers and the then government.

    There’s no gainsaying that the Hassan Sunmonu NLC was a model for labour struggles in Nigeria. It was also a period of a series of struggles that marked out that era as one of the most challenging in the country’s history. Aliyu’s resilience, straight talks and intrepidity won him the hearts of his people.

    As a mark of reciprocity, he convincingly won an election into the House of Representatives in 1983, while still writing his final examinations for his first degree at the Bayero University, Kano. That set the template for the engaging credentials that now mark him out as a statesman.

    When he left the shores of Nigeria for the United States to pursue further studies at the University of Pittsburgh following the military coup d’état that truncated the second republic, his interest in the democratic enterprise remained unflinching. After his successful academic sojourn in the US, Dr. Aliyu returned to Nigeria and joined the federal public service. For several years, he served meritoriously in various sensitive positions and in different public institutions – Ministries and Agencies, including being a Director in the Cabinet Secretariat and Director Maritime Services in the Federal Ministry of Transportation.

    Always a high flyer, through a dint of hard work and the grace of God, Babangida Aliyu rose to the pinnacle of Civil Service as a Permanent Secretary in 1999. Fortuitous circumstances took him through the high levels of decision making and policy implementation. From the ministries of youths, sports through the cabinet secretariat to Federal Capital Territory (FCT), National Planning Commission, Transport, Establishment and Pension Matters, he applied himself scrupulously to the tenets and ethics of the service. These are the features that made stakeholders draft him to run for the governorship race in Niger state in 2007. And he won.

    In the last six and a half years, his strides in mass mobilisation, resource utilisation and management and guts have left developmental imprints that are difficult to ignore. His openness has attracted as many enemies as it has endeared him to more. His large heartedness and capacity for elevated reasoning also many times put him at crossroads. But they have led to giant leaps in the fortunes of the state.

    Niger State, today, under Mu’azu’s watch has recorded impressive gains in all considerable fields of human endeavours. Is it education, health, agriculture, infrastructure and social security? Nigerlites have a reason to miss him when he eventually leaves the state and wish that he had come earlier than he did.

    The administration had tackled some issues that were hitherto thought intractable. Immediately he mounted the saddle, the non-payment of gratuity and pension which had accumulated for almost a decade vamoosed. Shortly after taking office, Governor Aliyu directed that the labourers deserve their wages. He ordered the prompt payment of all outstanding arrears of gratuities and pensions to all retirees. Till date, he has not defaulted. He continues to pay as at when due, monthly pension of these old folk as a major plank of his administration’s social contract with the people. This was probably informed by his civil service background. Like he usually says “you cannot expect discipline out of a staff you owe”.

    A lot of work has been done in the educational sector. The introduction of tuition-free education is remarkable. The

    Payment of WAEC and NECO fees to all students regardless of students’ state of origin in Niger schools has become an embarrassment for those who still discriminate on basis of state of origin. He has equally addressed challenges in the health sector. The implementation of free medical care for children between the ages of 0-5 and for the aged has come to stay. The ripple effect of this on the psyche of the populace cannot be over-emphasised.

    Aliyu has also embarked on rapid reconstruction of township roads. He is providing access roads in all the local government areas through the construction of 10km roads in liaison with the 25 local government councils.

    Conscious effort has also been made to ease housing problems faced by Nigerlites. This is done through the provision of housing units in all the major towns of the state. Other areas of intervention by Governor Aliyu include the establishment of graduate employment scheme and distribution of agro input to farmers starting from the ward level to make it more accessible to the rural dwellers.

    Perhaps the most popular dividend of democracy in the state is the introduction of Ward Development Projects Initiative. The recognition of the ward as the smallest political unit and the target of development programmes is apt. Through a state legislation, each of the state’s 274 wards receive monthly grants for the execution of capital projects that are considered relevant to the socio-economic life of the wards.

    Governor Aliyu has extended his Midas touch across the political landscape. With his election as chairman of the Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF) in 2007, his leadership has made impact in terms of peer review and experience sharing. Before then, NSGF leadership was rotated amongst the governors of the region with each selected to chair sessions. He reckoned that this kind of spatial arrangement defies logic, as cohesion was sacrificed.

    However, the influence of the NSGF as a socio-political entity has transcended the myopia of sectionalism. It has become a force to reckon with, a voice of wisdom and against despotism and lawlessness.

    Through the NSGF, the governors have been able to galvanize the interest of the people of the North, Nigerians and international community on the potentials and investment opportunities existing in the region. These are no lame duck efforts. They are real marks of intellect and courage.

    As he trudges on, here’s a wish for a happy birthday to the man who prefers to be the Chief Servant of his people.

    • Ndayebo writes from Minna, Niger State.