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1. I am pleased to join you on this important day of solidarity
with workers around the world. I salute you, all our hardworking men and
women, who toil daily and relentlessly from sunrise to sunset for the
progress of our great nation.
2. Over the years, through your valuable contribution and
sacrifice, we have achieved significant reforms in various sectors of
our national life, and made remarkable progress as a nation.
3. The struggles of workers around the world have indeed come a long
way, since the 1st day of May was designated International Workers Day
in 1904. Here at home, the historical development of Nigeria as a nation
is closely linked to the history of the Trade Union Movement. The
recognition of the Nigeria Civil Service Union, by the British Colonial
Government as the first Trade union in the nation in 1912, set the
pace for workers’ rights awareness and the bravery and principled
agitations that manifested in the "Aba Women's Riot" of 1929, the Coal
Miners' Strike of 1949, and several other workers legitimate demands for
economic justice.
4. By pioneering organized rallying points for mass interest,
these movements strengthened the nationalist struggle for independence,
and provided the bedrock for a National labour platform, as today
represented by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
5. Who can forget the dedication of the Teachers Unions?, the
perseverance of Association of Civil Servants? the picket lines of the
Road Transport Workers? or the resilience of the Textile Workers Union?
and indeed the solidarity and sacrifice of so many others, which has
enabled the hope we have today as a nation? I salute you all, your
service and courage will never be in vain.
6. This year's Labour Day can rightly be described as the
Centenary Labour Day as it coincides with the hundred years of the
amalgamation of Northern and Southern Nigeria. This year's
commemoration, appropriately affords special reflection and accords
special recognition to the historical and contemporary importance of the
Labour movement in the national project.
7. I have been informed that a good number of activities
involving workers shall be reviewing "100 years of the Nigerian Worker",
with the theme - A Centenary Journey of Service and Struggles. This
will include a landmark Symposium, and workers' Lottery, to be
administered by the Nigerian Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC). I
thank the Nigerian Labour Movement for its support and involvement in
organizing the Centenary Celebrations. I assure you of my support during
the workers' events.
8. The Nigerian worker is not only an important part of our
history, but a pivot of our past, present and future. That is why we are
leaving no stone unturned towards the practical enhancement of the
welfare of all workers in both the private and public sectors, and in
facilitating better relations with employers and government. Since the
advent of this administration, our actions and policies have been geared
towards placing the country on the path of sustainable progress, where
everyone can better achieve his or her dreams. That is the thrust of our
Transformation Agenda.
9. Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, the Transformation Agenda
is about taking and implementing measures today, in order to give our
people a brighter future. It is about creating jobs, creating wealth,
and ensuring a better deal for Nigerians. This is an onerous task that
requires the support of all our citizens.
10. Central to this Transformation is the creation of a
politically stable environment in which economic development activities
will flourish. To this end, we are strengthening our democratic
institutions, and confronting the challenges facing our country with
great determination and firmness.
11. Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, Labour has been in the
forefront of the demand for good governance and increased action against
corruption, and these issues are being vigorously tackled on various
fronts. Prosecutions are being pursued in matters arising from Fuel
subsidy fraud, Embezzlement of Pension funds and other serious
longstanding malpractices demystified by this administration. I assure
you of accelerated and expanded action against all forms of corruption.
Given that some of these perpetrators are senior and junior members of
labour unions, greater attention to peer review action on the part of
labour, will be much appreciated.
12. As a result of our economic policies, there have been
significant improvements in our economic fundamentals. Our economy grew
by about 6.6% during 2012 and is set to grow at a similar pace in 2013
according to independent forecasts. This is quiet significant by global
standards.
13. We have further reduced our fiscal deficit in the 2013 budget
to 1.81% of GDP, and cut domestic borrowing. We have rebalanced our
spending in favour of capital expenditure. The rate of inflation also
dropped to single-digit territory at the beginning of this year.
14. At a time, many advanced and emerging markets are being
downgraded, our sovereign credit ratings have been upgraded. We are
however, not unmindful of the fact that the ultimate benefit of these
encouraging results, must reflect on the lives of the most needy
Nigerians. This remains our goal.
15. We are also focused on economic inclusion, with articulated
strategy targeting the disadvantaged and unemployed in our society with
economic opportunities in agriculture, entrepreneurial support, graduate
employment and unskilled job programmes. We are also building robust
social safety net programmes, targeting pregnant mothers and children in
the health sector.
16. Through the Youth Enterprise with Innovation in Nigeria
(YouWiN!) programme we are supporting talented young entrepreneurs to
set up or expand their businesses, and employ others.
17. Our port reforms are aimed at ensuring efficiency in the
handling of ports and related businesses and achieving 48 hours
clearance time for cargo. In the Power sector, the inevitable and
painstaking task of correction, construction and consolidation, is on
course, with the privatization of our electricity generation and
distribution companies boosted with significant foreign investors'
participation and confidence. Our railroads, major airports and federal
roads nationwide are also being comprehensively rehabilitated.
18. Diversifying the economy away from the oil sector into
agriculture, housing, manufacturing, creative industries, and other
sectors that generate jobs and grow the economy has long being a
national goal and today, our Government is actualizing this as another
fundamental goal of our reform agenda.
19. I would like to use this opportunity to thank the Labour
Movement for its support of the Transformation Agenda. I assure you that
our efforts are sincere and informed by the need to entrench good
governance for the well-being of Nigerians.
20. Trade disputes are inevitable in all social environments, but
with commitment to patriotic reason and dialogue, such disputes are
easier resolved. In the interest of national development, I urge all the
social partners - labour, employers etc. to embrace the rule of law in
pursuit of their rights in the workplace. Due process would minimize the
negative consequences caused by incessant industrial crisis in our
nation.
21. Ladies and Gentlemen, the Labour movement in our country has
historically been a partner in national progress. I enjoin you to
responsibly continue your hard work, resilience and commitment to
national development. We stand together in this transformation
undertaking and together in partnership, we will succeed in building a
new nation.
22. Insuleto! Inafrica!!
23. I Thank you
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