At the Eagle Square, Abuja, the commemoration of this year’s May Day celebrations saw the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, emphasizing the critical importance of prioritizing workers’ welfare for Nigeria’s development.
Speaking passionately to the gathered workers during the global annual event dedicated to celebrating workers’ achievements, Obi highlighted the significance of socioeconomic justice and the pivotal role workers play in nation-building.
He stressed, “We can’t get the economy right, we can’t get anything right until the workers are working and they are being looked after — their welfare and everything — and they are productive.”
This sentiment underscores his commitment to shifting the country’s focus from consumption to production, a move he believes will contribute to a stronger and more prosperous Nigeria.
Obi, who identified himself as a worker, expressed solidarity with the workers and thanked the leaders of the organized labor for extending an invitation to him. He urged the workers to remain law-abiding for the sake of a peaceful country, emphasizing that Nigerians must work together to build a nation of which they can be proud, not just for themselves but for future generations.
Among the dignitaries present at the event were the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha; Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige; Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mohammed Bello; and the Minister of Women Affairs, Pauline Tallen. Past and present leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), as well as representatives from other affiliate unions, also graced the occasion.
Obi’s remarks resonate with the ongoing struggle for workers’ rights and welfare, serving as a reminder of the pivotal role workers play in driving the nation’s progress and development.