Wogu Tasks Labour On National Development

The Minister of Labour and Productivity, Mr Emeka Wogu has described organised labour as a “critical partner in national advancement’’.

Wogu said this in a Paper, entitled “Labour and Development’’, which he delivered at the 11th Eni-Njoku Memorial Lecture of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State.

This is contained in a statement issued by Mr Samuel Olowokere, the Assistant Director (Press) in the ministry.

“Nigeria is already on the path of national development as the various current national programme and projects of the Federal Government such as the ‘You Win,Sure P’ components and the National Action Plan on Employment Creation and the national productivity policy, all attest to this fact.

He said that labour unions and employers, as social partners, had major roles to play in ensuring that their voices were heard in order to eradicate poverty and entrench lasting peace and prosperity that could only be realised through social justice.

Wogu reiterated Federal Government’s commitment to engaging organised labour unions to forge a social model that emphasises consultation and exchange with all development stakeholders.

He called on labour to more regularly adopt pragmatic approach to issues, saying that “this will entail a more thorough analysis of issues on their merits’’.

Earlier, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Barth Okolo, had said that the minister was picked as the guest lecturer because of his personality, achievements and service to humanity.

Okolo was represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Prof. Isaac Uzooma Asuszu.