President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, on Tuesday, February 27, lamented that Nigerians are dying of hunger due to the economic hardship in the country.
He urged the federal government to urgently address the situation.
Ajaero spoke at the National Assembly Complex when he led thousands of protesters including civil society organizations in protest against the economic hardship.
He said: “We thank everyone for making this happen. Today has come to pass. They said we should not be but we are here. We are here because there is hunger in the land. History will not forgive us if we do not protest at the level of hunger in the land. It is to signal to the authorities that there is a problem in the land.”
He decried the falling value of the Naira, growing insecurity, and rising unemployment among other issues.
He said immediate measures must be taken to address the suffering, adding that the NLC would decide its next line of action.
The NLC president presented a letter containing their grievances to the representative of the leadership of the National Assembly.
Chairman Senate Committee on Labour, Employment and Productivity, Senator Diket Plang, who accepted the letter on behalf of the National Assembly said they were aware of the hardship and assured that efforts would be made to urgently address the situation.
He promised the letter would be dispatched accordingly.
He said: “We are supposed to stand in for Nigerians where it pinches them. I want to assure you that the National Assembly is very sensitive to what is happening, very sensitive.
“The leadership of the National Assembly, yesterday, the Senate President and the Speaker met. I was with them. We parted around 12 midnight and all the issue is about bringing solutions to the suffering and yearnings of Nigerians.
“We are at a very critical period that Nigeria is taking a decision that would be of economic advantage to all of us. My plea and our plea is for the union to reason with us, and understand with us. There is no way we will allow this thing to continue. But steps must be taken.
“Already the 15th agenda of the Memorandum of Understanding given between government and labour is being tackled. The last issue that is in place is the issue of minimum wage and negotiations are going on.
“There is no way that we will not end up with a resolution and a decision that will benefit Nigerians. I assure you that all of us, the press, the general public, everybody is feeling it, but Nigeria will succeed. The president will succeed. We will succeed. We are very sensitive to it. So may God Almighty, help us to maximize our potential, and maximize our natural resources, may we intervene in such a way that all Nigerians will be able to exploit the God-given wealth that we have. We are all on the same page.”
Also, the chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Labour and Productivity, Hon. Adefarati Adeboyega, backed his counterpart.
He said: “We will take your letter to the leadership of the Nation Assembly. Very soon you will hear from us. We are facing the same challenges. The economic challenges and hardships faced by Nigeria is borne by everybody.
“I want to assure you that the leadership of the National Assembly will look into your request and demands and take swift and bold action. I can assure you Nigeria will breathe again.”
Various security agencies were seen stationed around the various entries and exits of the National Assembly particularly the federal secretariat axis to ensure the orderliness of the action.
The protesters who were chanting are expected to communicate their message to the leadership of the National Assembly.
The NLC defied several warnings and decided to go ahead with a protest against the economic hardship in the country.
The DSS had last week warned that some persons are planning to use the opportunity of the planned protests by organized labour slated for 27th and 28th February to foment crisis and widespread violence.
Director, Public Relations and Strategic Communications, DSS National Headquarters, Abuja, Dr Peter Afunanya, in a statement, had called on labour to shelve the action meant to protest the economic situation in the country in the interest of peace.
He had urged that they should pursue dialogue and negotiation rather than engage in conduct that could heighten tensions in the country.
These entreaties however seem to have fallen on deaf ears as the President of the NLC, Joe Ajaero, insists the protest must go on.
On the heels of the protest by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) over economic hardship in the country, a group known as the Network of Civil Society and Economic Sustainability said that President Tinubu’s administration has demonstrated a dedicated commitment to addressing these challenges with the urgency they deserve.
A letter addressed to the Senate President signed by the Convener, Adamu Kabiru Mataza and Co-convener Yusuf Yahuza, urged the NLC to engage in a constructive dialogue with the government instead of grounding economic activities and making life more difficult.
The group which also marched peacefully to the National Assembly to deliver the letter to its leadership, also expressed commitment to the wellbeing, welfare, and economic sustainability of our people.
The statement reads: “We gather here today as a collective voice, representing the patriotic citizens across the 36 States of our great nation and the Federal Capital Territory. Our tireless commitment is directed towards ensuring the well-being, welfare, and economic sustainability of our people.
“The reason for our assembly today is of utmost importance, as we seek to address the planned protest by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC).
“The issues at stake, encompassing the implementation of a new minimum wage, escalating hardship, insecurity, rising poverty, hyperinflation, and soaring prices of essential commodities, are undeniably genuine and demand the attention of every citizen and stakeholder.
“It is crucial to emphasize that while these concerns are legitimate, protests are not and will never be a viable solution.
“President Tinubu’s administration has demonstrated a dedicated commitment to addressing these challenges with the urgency they deserve.
“We urge the NLC to engage in a constructive dialogue with the government instead of grounding economic activities, exacerbating the issues and further making life hard for the common man.
“We implore the NLC to reconsider their protest action and embrace dialogue in their pursuit of resolution. While we stand united with the NLC in advocating for the legitimate demands of workers, we vehemently oppose any attempt to disrupt economic activities through unnecessary protests. Such actions can be easily exploited by miscreants, leading to mayhem and destruction.
“At this critical juncture, the transparency exhibited by President Tinubu’s administration in addressing inherited challenges should not be overlooked. We call on the NLC to prioritize the interests of the people, abandoning the protest in favour of dialogue. It is only through collaborative efforts that we can effectively address the multifaceted problems facing our nation.
“Let us, as responsible citizens, encourage dialogue, understanding, and unity to navigate our nation out of these challenges. Together, we can build a sustainable and prosperous future for all.”
Director, Sergeant at Arms, Air Commodore Zakari Sani, who received the letter said that it would be dispatched to the relevant authority expeditiously.
