The national leadership of
the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has backed the National conference being proposed by the Federal Government.
The Union described thee national dialogue as a step in the right direction for Nigerians to sit and discuss their future and issues of common interest.
The TUC National President Comrade Bobbai Kaigama stated this in a statement titled “National Confab: should move Nigeria forward” and obtained by The Tide from the Union’s branch office in Port Harcourt.
Comrade Kaigama said “while the congress commends the caliber of most of the people that have so far been chosen to be members of the conference Advisory Committee, the union also feels that it is important that organized labour involved.
The labour leader said TUC was not averse to the proposed National Conference or dialogue in view of the Myriad of challenges the country was presently facing.
The statement further stated that “the essence of any government is to meet the aspirations of the people and, since as is evident, majority of Nigerians are clamouring for the conference to hold, so be it. However, we insist that it be convened and conducted in the spirit of oneness of the nation and with intent of moving the nation forward. And the outcome of the conference must represent the best wishes of the average Nigerian”.
The TUC President outlined issues the union considered should form the fulcrum of the conference to include the basis of the nation’s unity and existence, the system of geo-political and fiscal Federalism, citizenship, the electoral and representative system, the cost of governance, security, corruption, boundary adjustment and foreign policy, freedom of faith, and fundamental human rights.
He said, “similarly the congress charge the delegates to conscientiously consider and take unequivocal resolution on our economy and the poverty index, our roads and other means of transport, as well as electric power, education and health sector etc.
Comrade Kaigama added that Nigerians expect the delegates to be mindful to display requisite broadmindedness and statesmanship in their dealing at the conference.
He said in the spirit of give and take delegates must observe the appropriate delicate balance between eloquent expression of the opinion of their constitutents and appreciating the view-point of other ethnic groups.
The TUC boss said it is the hope of the union that the unity of the country would be held sacrosanct throughout and at the end of the conference, stressing that tolerance and understanding should be the watch words of the would be delegates to the conference.
“We advise all such persons not to denigrate or degress from the key issues as Nigerians, they must work together to achieve the common goal of the nation cohesion and collective development.
The Union Leader said the union call on the Federal Government to demonstrate utmost good faith towards the conference and its success, stressing that the needed funds, logistic and other prerequisite be made available for the conference.
Comrade Kaigama said “The congress acknowledges that certain persons have expressed fear that the conference was a ploy for the balkanization of the country. Others have suggested that it has negative political and/or religious undertones.
The Union sincerely hope these fear are unfounded and do implore the government to prove them untrue as the TUC appeal to Nigerians to give the government the benefit of doubt.
“We earnestly advise the government and all Nigerians to respect the decisions reached at the conference as all such decisions should be implemented as the collective will of the people”.
He, said the union support the widely held opinion that Nigerians have never lacked the ability and willingness to amicably jaw-jaw and make a success of any conference such as the proposed one. Rather the problem has always been the insincerity of the Leadership of the day and its reluctance to accept and implement the content of conference white papers and address the issues holistically.

Philip Okparaji