As the world celebrates this year’s May Day, Vice Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Peter Obi, has commended Nigerian workers for their commitment, saying that it is their labour that keeps Nigeria going.

Speaking to airport correspondents on Tuesday at the Domestic wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, Obi called on those owing workers to seek ways to clear their debts. He emphasised the need to take care of pensioners, because they contributed to the growth of the wealth of the nation in their productive years and need special care at old age.

Obi, who bemoaned the state of unemployment in the country, called on Government to concentrate on creating an enabling environment by offering necessary support for the growth of the private sector that will boost job-creation as, according to him, “the level of unemployment in Nigeria is unacceptable”.

The former Anambra State Governor also called on Government to intensify efforts on security in view of the fact that insecurity is palpable in all the parts of the country. He said that beyond the effect on Nigerians, “the incessant news of insecurity scares otherwise willing investors”.

Noting what he called the unprecedented polarisation among Nigerians, Obi said that Nigerians needed comprehensive re-assurance by those in authority restoring trust, peace and unity among Nigerians.

Also yesterday, President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, saluted Nigerians workers for their tireless contribution to the socio-economic development of the country, in spite of fluctuating economic realities.

Saraki, in a message of goodwill to mark the 2019 Workers’ Day celebration, signed by his Special Adviser (Media and Publicity), Yusuph Olaniyonu, in Abuja, also commended the leadership and members of the organised labour for their patriotism in often choosing dialogue rather than industrial action in resolving trade disputes.

He expressed hope that workers would be encouraged to always put in their best in working to uplift and sustain the nation’s economy, in view of the recent signing into law of a new minimum wage of N30,000.

“No nation can develop without a virile and agile workforce,” Saraki said. “It is trite to say that workers are the mainstay of our nation’s economy, since no policy of government, no matter how remote, will succeed without the commitment and collaboration of workers saddled with implementation.

“However, having interacted with Nigerian workers and their leadership times without number, I can say without fear of contradiction that the nation’s workforce is among the best in the continent,” he stated.

“All that is left is to adequately harness their abundant talents and spirit of patriotism to further improve on the nation’s economic and political development through timely and adequate motivation, training and retraining. The public sector should work to ensure that the country realises her potentials. It should eliminate tardiness, increase the level of discipline and strive to provide enabling environment for the private sector to thrive with the resultant broadening of the scope of national prosperity,” Saraki stated.

He called on the leadership of organised labour to continue to discharge their responsibilities in the overall interest of the country and her people while the government would continue to do its best to meet the yearnings and aspirations of workers and other Nigerians through sustainable welfare programmes.

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