One of Nigeria’s labour unions,the Textile Workers’ NUTGTWN has demanded an apology from the Oba of Lagos over his threat to dump Igbos in the lagoon if they fail to vote All Progressives Congress,APC gubernatorial candidate,Akin Ambode.
Oladele Hunsu president, NUTGTWN and Issa Aremu, its general secretary who is also deputy president of Ajaero led NLC said in a statement Wednesday “We join all Nigerians and other democratic forces to condemn the statement credited to the Oba of Lagos
“HRM Oba Rilwanu Akiolu, intimidating some Nigeria citizens resident in Lagos to vote for a particular candidate (Ambode) or be thrown into lagoon. This is unacceptable, condemnable and un-royal coming from a traditional ruler of the status of the Oba of Lagos.
“Labour demands an apology from the Oba of Lagos and a reassurance that working men and women in Lagos are protected against verbal reckless attack as demonstrated by the Oba of Lagos.
“Workers must be save to do their jobs anywhere without molestation and have the right to vote for any candidate of their choices.
“We advise our Statesmen including the traditional rulers to use languages that are known to the Constitution. The Nigeria Constitution defines us as Nigerians not on the basis of our tribe or religion. Even with all his claim, the Oba of Lagos is only entitled to one (1) vote in a democracy.
Labour also commended “ all the political parties including the APC for disowning the Oba. The least expected from His Royal Majesty to regain the confidence of all Nigerians is to quickly offer an apology.
“From the statesmanship demonstrated by President Gooduck Jonathan and General Buhari after the Presidential elections, we need Royal statesmanship not Royal partisanship. Our traditional rulers must steer clear from partisan politics. The new President elect, General Muhammadu Buhari must make sure he implements the report of the National Conference that traditional rulers must concentrate on their primary mandate of ensuring peace, unity and security in their domain and should not dabble into partisan politics.
“We call on His Royal Highness, the Oba of Lagos to emulate eminent traditional rulers who have defended the dignity of their offices like His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto who has remained committed in promoting peace and harmony in Nigeria.
The union which has again congratulated the president elect , General Muhammadu Buhari particularly commended him “for his steadfastness and abiding faith in democracy. To have won a presidential election after third attempts, undoubtedly through words and deeds, General Buhari has shown that democracy offers a better sustainable route to good governance.
“Like other compatriots we sincerely look forward to General Buhari’s successful oath-taking as the new and 4th democratically elected President of Nigeria in this dispensation.
“We agree with the President-elect that apart from endemic corruption, the greatest task at hand is the urgent need to transform a mono/oil dependent-economy to a diversified industrialized economy.
Also, the statement said “We are encouraged during General Buhari’s campaign that he has resolved to revive textile and garment industry as part of his party’s overall strategy to re-industrialize the county and create mass employment for the millions of unemployed.
“We recall that in the 70s and up to early 80s, (when General Buhari and his patriotic team were in power) Nigeria was the largest producer of different range of textile, garment and carpet products surpassed in production only by Egypt and South Africa. We are willing to partner with his administration to reinvent this sector which has propelled newly industrialized countries in recent times such as China, India, Balgadesh and Indonesia among others.
“26 out of the 36 states grow cotton of both long and short stable lengths. In addition as an oil-producing country, Nigeria boasts of a large polyester base. Combined with the 170 million population rich in fashion and clothing and huge labour force of some 70 million potential workers, Nigeria has the potential of producing 1.2 billion meters of cloth per annum! When we factor the ECOWAS sub-regional market, Nigeria is a natural textile destination point in the world.
The union urged the government to stop smuggling and products counterfeiting.”The major threat to the realization of the great potential of Nigeria in textile production is high influx of counterfeit and smuggled goods. The real acid test of General Buhari’s incoming administration’s anti-corruption is how he frontally fight smuggling. Over 90 per cent of Nigeria’s huge market size is dominated by smuggled and counterfeit goods, killing local companies in Kano, Kaduna, Lagos, Guzau, Aba and Port Harcourt, and millions of direct and indirect associated local jobs. In addition smuggling denies the government the much needed revenue in unpaid custom duties. While private sector is the engine of growth, it is the government that must “oil” this engine, failing which it will crash as it has with the textile industry.
The statement said “All nations want to employ their youths, produce goods and services, overcome poverty and underdevelopment. To this extent every nation protects its own industry, whether the industry is in ‘infancy’ or ‘adult-hood’. Nigeria cannot be different under your administration which has commendably raised expectations to fight unemployment and grow the economy.
“Key problems facing the textile industry in particular and manufacturing industries in general are infrastructural inadequacy, raw materials, electricity supply, smuggling, counterfeiting and faking among others. All these problems call for strong government interventions not less.
“Recently the Federal Ministry of Industry, trade and Investment (MITI) launched a comprehensive national Cotton, Textile and Garment policy within the overall new Nigerian Industrial Revolution Plan (NIRP). We urge the new administration to adopt this policy and ensure its prompt implementation
The union noted that “We have recorded a tremendous success at the last Presidential/National Assembly elections inspite of some shortcomings. We call on all Nigerians to ensure we record the same success in the forthcoming Governorship and State House of Assembly elections slated for Saturday April 11th, 2015.
“ All that is required is to improve on some of the observed shortcomings during the Presidential election by ensuring; Early arrival of INEC staff and electoral materials; The Card Readers must work; Orderly behavior on the part of the voters and Professional conduct on the part of the police and other security agencies.
The statement also said “The Police, State Security Service (SSS), Military and other security agencies must live to their mandate to protect all Nigerians irrespective of their partisan affiliation. It does not make sense for security agencies to align with politicians. The police must realize that what we have is the Nigeria police force (NPF), not Nigeria politicians force. We have Nigeria State Security Service (SSS) not State Security Service for Politicians. The same with the Military. At the end of the day, politicians will always cooperate as we have seen with President Goodluck Jonathan and President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari. The security agencies must operate within their mandates and code of conduct.
The union advised that this unfolding change must translate to good governance
