IDRIS AHMED, LOKOJA
The 8th Triennial delegates conference of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Kogi state Council, has elected a new Executive Council to steer the affairs of the Union for the next four years.
The new EXCO led by Comrade Gabriel Amari was elected unopposed on Tuesday at this year’s Triennial Delegates Conference held at Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) secretariat,Lokoja the state capital.
Other elected members of the EXCO include Ebenezer Adeyemi and Opaluwa Eleojo as Vice Chairmen; Salifu Joel As Treasurer; Omuya Momoh and Awodi Ochala as Adutors; and Bolanle Inubiwon and Oyiza Sanni as Ex-Officios.
The NLC National Returning Officer, Comrade Roseline Uba, who represented the NLC National Chairman, Comrade Joe Ajaero, sworn-in the new Executive members.
Comrade Ajaero, charged the new Chairman and other members of the EXCO to work together in unity to improve on the welfare of workers in the state.
He equally advised them to improve on the achievements of the immediate past leaders and ensure harmonious relationship with the State Government for the benefit of workers in the state.
Ajaero commended Governor Yahaya Bello, for his tremendous achievements in infrastructure development and for the improvements in workers welfare in the stàte.
The NLC President reaffirmed his promise to continue to make the welfare of Nigerian workers his topmost priority.
Earlier, the Chairman accreditation committee of NLC Delegates election, Comrade Saliu Ogaza, said eight candidates applied for eight available elective positions in the state.
According to Comrade Ogaza, the committee having established that all elective positions were filled by candidates that had no oppositions and therefore unopposed for those positions.
In his acceptance speech, the new Chairman of the NLC, Kogi state Council, Comrade Amari commended the immediate past Chairman, Comrade Onuh Edoka and his EXCO promising to consolidate on their numerous achievements.
Amari equally thanked the delegates and the entire Kogi workforce for their immense support, saying, ”with your support and cooperation, we will move Kogi workers to the next level.
”I assure you that we shall not disappoint you and the confidence you have reposed in us.”
Comrade Amari also appealed to the State Government to establish a quarterly meeting with the organised labour where issues would be discussed and resolved to boost industrial harmony in the state.
In her remarks, the State Head of Service, Mrs Hannah Odiyo, who spoke on behalf of the Governor, congratulated the new NLC Exco, and urged them to sustain and surpass the achievements of the previous ones.
Odiyo commended the state leaders of the organised labour for their show of patriotism and maturity in ensuring industrial harmony, while achieving so much for workers’ welfare in the state.
Earlier, in his valedictory speech, Comrade Onuh thanked the entire workers in the state for their unprecedented support and cooperation, and urged them to extend same to the new Exco.
Comrade Onuh enumerated his achievements while in office for the past eight years including the completion and commissioning of the new Labour Secretariat House.
He commended the governor for his support and for the improvements in workers welfare, regular payment of salaries, remuneration and promotions with cash backong.
Onuh advised the new Exco to sustain and improve on the existing peaceful relationship between the organised labour and the state government using diplomacy and dialogue to resolving all issues.
Earlier the National Secretary of the NLC, Comrade Emmanuel Ugbuaja, who commissioned the newly built Labour House situated at 200 Housing units Lokoja, on behalf of the National President Comrade Joe Ajaero, commended the state Council of the NLC for their foresight and initiative.
He said it is a great pride for a pro workers and people organisation like NLC, to own it’s house where they will be free to discuss and carry out their legitimate activities with out hindrances or obstruction by any authority, government or groups.
The National Secretary therefore advised the workers to utilize the facility for the Union’s activities and assess NLC informations and bulletins for them to be abreast with activities.
