By: Yekini Jimoh Lokoja
The Kogi State Chapter of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has elected Comrade Gabriel Amari as the new state chairman of the union as he promised to pioneer the affairs of organised labour for the next four years in the state.
Comrade Amari, elected unopposed, is the Chairman of the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), Kogi chapter.
Other Executive members elected were Comrades Ebenezer Adeyemi and Opaluwa Eleojo as Vice Chairmen; Salifu Joel As Treasurer; Omuya Momoh and Awodi Ochala as Adutors; and Bolanle Inubiwon & Oyiza Sanni as Ex-Officios.
The NLC National Returning Officer, Comrade Roseline Uba, swore in the new Kogi NLC Executive members during the NLC 8th Quadrennial State Delegates Conference in Lokoja.
Uba, who represented the NLC National President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, charged the new Chairman and other Exco to unite to improve the welfare of workers in the state.
Ajaero urged the new Exco to surpass the achievements of the immediate past Exco and ensure a harmonious relationship with the State Government to benefit workers in the state.
Ajaero commended Gov. Yahaya Bello for his tremendous achievements in infrastructure development and improved workers’ welfare in the state.
The NLC President reaffirmed his promise to continue making Nigeria workers’ welfare 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 has established that all elective positions were filled by candidates with no oppositions and, therefore, unopposed for those positions.
In his acceptance speech, the new Kogi NLC chairman commended the immediate past Chairman, Comrade Onuh Edoka and his Exco and promised to consolidate their numerous achievements in office.
Amari 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.
”We appreciate you for adopting us as the sole candidates for all the elective positions.
”I assure you that we will apply diplomacy, dialogue and persuasion in getting government to meet our demands”.
Comrade Amari 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.
The new NLC chairman further appealed to the Governor to appoint the immediate past NLC Chairman as the Special Adviser to the Governor on Labour Matters because of his vast experience in resolving labour disputes.
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 excos.
Odiyo commended the state’s 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
She assured the commitment of the State Government to continue to make workers welfare a priority in the state, stressing that the governor has the welfare of workers at heart.
The head of service solicited for the continued support and cooperation of the organised labour leaders and the entire workforce to taking the state to an enviable heights.
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 numerous 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 promotion with cash back.
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.
The newly built Labour House situated at 200 Housing Estate Lokoja, was inaugurated on Monday by the NLC National President, Joe Ajaero.
