A National Executive Committee (NEC) member of Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Issa Aremu has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his recent assent to the “Not Too Young to Run Bill.”
In a statement signed by Aremu, the labour leader described the “Not Too Young to Run Bill” as “Buhari historic signature Bill,” adding that the new Act would foster inclusiveness of youth in nation building as envisaged by UN Sustainable Development Agenda 2030.
The Act alters the provisions of the 1999 Constitution to reduce the age qualification for some political offices, namely the House of Assembly and House of Representatives from 30 to 25 years and from hitherto 40 to 35 years as the eligible age to seek election into the office of the president.
Comrade Aremu who was a Labour delegate to 2015 National Conference and Deputy Chairman of the Confab Committee on Labour and Youth said the new youth Act was of special significance to the labour movement which he observed “has also been promoting youth and women participation in the trade union activities”.
The labour leader however added that without full decent sustainable employment and quality education, 10 million Nigerian unemployed youths “can hardly lead themselves, talk less of leading a nation like Nigeria begging for fresh energy and ideas”.
According to Aremu, only sustainable youthful employment and youth development programme could make Nigerian youths take full advantage of the recent “Not Too Young to Run Bill” signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari.
“Not too young-to-run Act must be complemented with “Not too-young -to -work”, “Not too-young -to -read and Acquire Skills” policy initiatives to rescue the youths from the current underdevelopment” the labour leader observed.
Comrade Aremu called for immediate implementation of youth policy recommendations in 2014 Confab in the areas of value adding preoccupation in productive enterprises and industries.
“Hungry, angry and ignorant youths can only lead a nation into disaster as witnessed by kidnapping gangs, Boko Haram insurgency and varying parallel violent underground societies led exclusively by some misguided youths”.
On recent judgement against governor of Taraba state, Jolly Nyame, Comrade Aremu hailed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for the prosecution and sentencing of the former governor to 14 years imprisonment by Justice Adebukola Banjoko for acts of criminal breach of trust and misappropriation of the sum of N1.64bn.
According to the him, “until Nigeria turns out Executive prisoners, there will not be an end to the current Executive reckless capture and looting of national commonwealth”.
He said there should be no tears for any governor who dares to violate oaths of office “by substituting security and welfare of citizens for petty pilfering of state resources” adding that civil societies, churches and faith based organizations should damn corrupt governors in general.
The court had ordered that all the funds previously recovered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission from aides to the ex-governor and other government officials involved in the scam be forfeited to the Taraba State Government.
In related development, Aremu commended the Joint Health Sector Union, JOHESU for calling off its 43-day-old strike with the directive to members to resume work adding that Minister of health would be held responsible for another failure of negotiations.
He said it was time there was sanction for Ministers who “through actions and inactions” could not manage Labour disputes.
Comrade Aremu who is also a member of the National Wages and Salary Commission said the principle of equity in workers’ remuneration was globally accepted adding that the government should offer leadership in equitable pay such that workers who should work in cooperation would not be at war with each other in avoidable conflicts.
The labour leader commended the intervention of the senate President Bukola Saraki in promoting mediation and negotiations among the stakeholders in the health sector.
Follow Us On WhatsApp
