Coalition of Civil Society Organizations and Labour Centre has commended the Nigeria Labour Congress and its Trade Union Congress (TUC), counterpart on their decision to suspend their jointly planned industrial action just after one day of protest.
The planned indefinite protest slated to commence Wednesday August 3, in fact started in some states across the country before President Bola Ahmed Tinubu exhibited his administrative acumen and political sagacity to douse the tension through democratic diplomacy through dialogue with the leadership of the two powerful unions.
Recall several rights groups, pro-democracy organizations organized several media conferences urging the two sides to explore further avenues of meeting at the centre with a view to preventing the industrial action to avoid the additional hardship it would heap on the citizenry they were trying to fight for.
On Tuesday August 2, renowned activist, Comrade Razaq Olokoba led members of the Coalition of 21 Civil Society Organizations and the Labour Centre to the prestigious Ikeja Airport Hotel, Lagos to address a well-attended Town Hall Meeting where the NLC and the TUC were urged to exercise patience and exhibit understanding with President Tinubu so the problem they wanted to resolve would not be escalated and thus defeat their laudable objective of ameliorating the suffering of the masses.
Their statement was read by their Convener, Comrade Razaq Olokoba who also doubles as the National President of Campaign for Dignity in Governance (CDG),
Comrade Olokoba, while presenting the opening remarks welcomed all the town hall meetings on the state of the nation and sundry matters and the way forward for the collective benefits of the good people of the country.
The renowned activist therefore called for understanding from Nigerians over the harsh economic realities affecting all and sundry and recognized that, “the removal of fuel subsidy is a bitter pill which we all have to swallow in order to stop the haemorrhaging of the Nigerian state.”
He commended President Bola Tinubu, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and other state Governors for the policy thrust of their governments in addressing the pains being experienced by Nigerians in the aftermath of the removal of fuel subsidy.
So when the strike was suspended barely less than 24 hours that it commenced, the Coalition was impressed by the exhibition of understanding by the leadership of the NLC and TUC saying their Chairmen, Joe Ajaero and his TUC counterpart Festus Osifo respectively are true patriotic Nigerians who want the best for the country.
The 21 leaders of the organizations who made presentations at the Town Hall Meeting on Tuesday were:
1. Razak Olokoba Campaign for Dignity in Governance
2. Nelson Ekujumi Centre for Social and Economic Rights
3. Titi Akosa Centre for 21st Century Issues
4. Linus Okoroji Humanity Services Project
5. Raji Rasheed Oyewunmi Yoruba Citizen Action for Change
6. Hamed Balogun Frontliner Economy and Social Research Centre
7. Jubril Ogundimu Oodua Revolutionary Front
8. Gbenga Soloki Campaign Against Impunity and Domestic Violence
9. Razaq Oladosu Grassroots Democratic Initiative
10. Alex Omotehinse Centre for Human and Socio-economic Rights
11. Awakulu Galadima Northern Integrity Forum
12. Ramat Abdulrazak Women Grassroot Network
13. HRM Sola Olatunde Oodua Youth Movement
14. Ramat Abdulrazak National Union of Market Men and Women
15. Ramat Abdullahi Centre for Promotion of Work Ethics and Values
16. Oliseh Charles Labour Veterans
17. Raheem Akeem Fmr. President Trade Union Congress (TUC)
18. Princess Abidemi Dosumu Salamotu Dosumu Skills Acquisition
foundation For Women and Underprivileged
19. Funso Mojuba Yoruba Unity Network
20. Akin Abosanyin Yoruba Interactive Network and
21. Alhaji Taofeek Adeyemi Oodua Peoples Congress (Reform)
