Workers Day: Tinubu Promises Minimum Wage, Obi Commends Workers On Their Contribution To National Development

The President-elect, Sen. Bola Tinubu, on Monday assured Nigerian workers of a minimum wage, social and economic justice

Tinubu made this known in his solidarity message to Nigerian workers on the 2023 International Workers’ Day, stating that workers in the country deserved a living wage to have a decent life and provide for their families under his leadership.

Tinubu told workers that he was not a stranger in the flight of workers while stating that he had been in the forefront of condemning the injustices against labour.

He added that he was a dependable ally and co-labourer in the fight for social and economic justice and equity for all Nigerians.

 “I join the rest of the world and all compatriots to celebrate Nigerian workers on this year’s International Workers’ Day.

“On this special day, as your President-elect, I extend my hands of friendship to the Nigerian workers through the two central Labour unions – Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC).

“In me you will find a dependable ally and co-labourer in the fight for social and economic justice for all Nigerians, including all the working people. Your fight will be my fight because I will always fight for you,” Tinubu said.

Tinubu promised to give hope to workers in Nigeria adding that he had planned for better welfare and working conditions for Nigerian workers, stressing that his vision for workers were clearly spelt out in his 'Renewed Hope Agenda' for a better Nigeria.

According to him, it was a covenant born of conviction, which he said he was prepared to honour, stressing that all hands, must be on the deck because “we all had a common battle to wage, we must win together.”

Tinubu observed that it was the fight against poverty, ignorance, disease, disunity, ethnic and religious hate, and all forms of negative forces that contend against the stability and prosperity of the country.

“In the Nigeria, I shall have the honour and privilege to lead from May 29; workers will have more than a minimum wage.

“You will have a living wage to have a decent life and provide for your families.

“The days ahead will, however, demand better understanding and cooperation from all sides, because leadership will require that we take tough and hard decisions so that our people and all Nigerian workers can live more abundantly,” Tinubu said.

Also in the same development, presidential candidate of Labour Party, LP, in the just concluded presidential election, Peter Obi, on Monday, told the Nigerian workers of brighter future saying that there are good days ahead.

  Obi, who was with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), at the Eagle Square in Abuja, to commemorate the day, said that there are forces of darkness that have held the country’s work force and the country down for so long a time, but assuring them that such forces would not be allowed to continue to have their ways.

Obi in his message, titled themed; ‘Workers Rights and Socio-Economic Justice’, commended the workers avowed resilience and sincere contributions to the development of the country.

“I congratulate Nigerian workers on the occasion of the Workers’ Day Celebration. I called on them to hold onto the values that encourage productivity in the nation,” the LP candidate tweeted after delivering a speech at the event.

According to Obi, the country had experienced difficult times in recent years, with workers bearing the brunt of the economic challenges, reiterated the fact that a well-motivated and empowered workforce is crucial to the success of any nation.

 “I encouraged them to see their jobs as channels for contributing to nation-building. Nigeria is gifted with a hardworking workforce, desirous of the country’s development, and without minding poor workers’ welfare in the nation; the workers have continued to labour for the nation.”

He appreciated and thanked Nigerian workers for their boldness and urged them to remain steadfast in their pursuit of a better future for the country.

He assured them that hope was not yet lost adding that with unity of purpose and togetherness, they could build a prosperous and inclusive Nigeria, where every citizen would have equal opportunities to thrive.

“I encouraged the workers not to be disheartened by the many challenges that pervade the economic and political space of the nation today, as everyone should remain focused on building a more productive and prosperous nation, which are part of the offerings of the New Nigeria.

“I want to assure you that the forces of darkness that have held this nation bound for long will not continue to have their way. We are determined to take back our nation for good and we are not giving up. I urge you all to remain steadfast.

“The sun of justice, peace and development will soon shine on our nation,” he stated.