Joe Ajaero, NLC President
Lois Otse Adams
The Deputy National President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero, has been elected unopposed as the president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) during the 13th Quadrennial National Delegates Conference held at the International Conference Centre Abuja, on the 7th to 8th February 2023.
The conference is titled, “Building people’s Power, National Unity and Quest for a New Social Contract”.
The Special Guest of Honour, Vice President Yemi Osibanjo, in his opening remarks, said: The theme of the conference is not only relevant to Nigeria, but also to the International world.
The Vice President opined that the NLC is a good platform for the Pan-African movement, advising that Nigerians should ensure unity in common issues.
“Issues of diversity can be handled by fairness, equity, and justice, and that is what society demands.
“There is an institutional basis between the government and the people, it is the deliverables of affordable water, health care, access to quality education, etc. in which no Nigerian must be left behind.
“The right of the people to freely elect leaders is key. I trust that the NLC will help mobilize INEC and the resources to make sure that every Nigerian votes,” he said.
On his part, the immediate past President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, welcomed all delegates across the country and commended their efforts in supporting the union.
He stated that the Conference came at the right time when workers are being pushed to the wall.
He condemned the biting hardship fueled by petrol scarcity, epileptic power supply and insufficient new naira note circulation.
Wabba added that the Nigerian economy is informal, so traders need to transact their businesses without hitches, calling on the government to address the situation and nip it in the bud as soon as possible.
He urged members to support the new president.
Wabba was elected president of the NLC in 2015, having contested with Joe Ajaero and the then NUPENG President, Comrade Achese Igwe.
In his acceptance speech on behalf of the National Administrative Council, Comrade Ajaero thanked all who sustained the movement to date.
He commended the Nigerian workers for their strive and commitment to building a better society while also appreciating his predecessor and colleagues.
He promised to be a loyal servant to the Nigerian masses.
“We shall seek to reconnect more effort to build a stronger movement, we shall not only speak but to lift the shackles from the shoulders of the poor, we shall seek deeper engagement from government at all levels, we shall seek deep existing engagement for people to freely express their capabilities,” he added.
The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) was formally constituted as the only national federation of trade unions in 1978, with affiliation from 42 industrial unions.
Prior to its being officiated, four labour centres existed – Nigerian Trade Union Congress ( NTUC), Labour Unity Front ( LUF), United Labour Congress (ULC), and Nigeria Workers Council (NWC).
