Special Adviser to the Governor of Lagos State on DAWN Commission and Southwest Integration, Hon. Ismail Olanrewaju Sunmi Odesanya, has urged the Trade Union Congress to continue to fight for this freedom and be voice of reason, the defender of justice, and the champion of fairness in the face of hardship.
The former state Secretary of the All Progressives Congress state this during a goodwill message during the commemoration of the TUC Lagos State Council Annual Training Program at ASSBIFI event center, Ikeja.
His words,”The belief that workers’ rights are human rights is core to our existence as a state and as a region. The dignity of a person is tied to their ability to earn a livelihood in a safe and fair environment. We must continue to fight for this freedom.
“TUC must be the voice of reason, the defender of justice, and the champion of fairness in the face of hardship. We must remember that employees’ rights are non-negotiable, and our Governor, His Excellency Babajide Sanwo-Olu shares this belief by implementing policies that provide the best workplace for all of us to prosper and a favourable environment for our businesses to thrive.
“The Lagos state government has consistently prioritized the payment of workers’ salaries, emoluments, proper training, and a never-ending effort to improve workers’ welfare,” he stated.
Full text of the goodwill message below:
UNITING FOR PROGRESS: TRADE UNIONS, WORKERS’ RIGHTS, AND DEVELOPMENT IN SOUTHWEST NIGERIA”; BEING A GOODWILL MESSAGE FOR THE COMMEMORATION OF THE TRADE UNION CONGRESS (TUC) LAGOS STATE COUNCIL ANNUAL TRAINING PROGRAMME HELD AT THE ASSBIFI EVENT CENTRE , IKEJA, LAGOS STATE FROM WEDNESDAY 30TH TO THURSDAY 31ST AUGUST, 2023
Greetings,
Distinguished Guests,
Executives,
Ladies and gentlemen,
I am honoured and privileged to be in attendance today as we gather for the 2023 annual training of the Trade Union Congress, Lagos State Council. Please accept my sincere gratitude for inviting me to deliver a goodwill message at today’s training. I accepted the invitation as a rare privilege. I am honoured to be a part of this innovative, inspiring, and developmental gathering with the opportunity to address you all. I look forward to contributing to future gatherings of like minds like this.
Specifically, I am honoured and privileged to be the Special Adviser, DAWN Commission and Southwest Integration to the Lagos State government under the leadership of our amiable state governor, a shining example of a leader who is workers-friendly and deeply values workers and citizens welfare, His Excellency, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu.
Today, I will be delivering a goodwill message titled “Uniting for Progress: Trade Unions, Workers’ Rights and Development in Southwest Nigeria.” I will delve into the important roles the Trade Union plays in regional integration and development and re-echo that workers’ rights are human rights.
This is not just a gathering; it is an opportunity for us as stakeholders in the service of development to share ideas that will be of great importance to the growth and development of Lagos State, Southwest and Nigeria as a whole. The annual training is not an occasion for fun, but rather an opportunity to hone our abilities and skills to further strengthen the foundation on which our region – Southwest’s – development is built, as well as to further formulate achievable solutions to several developmental challenges currently encounter. While the TUC is an architect of change and a carrier of hope, I will describe this annual training as the HEARTBEAT OF PROGRESS.
Permit me to remind you that trade unions have always been the cornerstone of progress in our beloved Lagos state, the Southwest region and Nigeria as a whole. Trade Union Congress (TUC) has pioneered the ground for economic integration and prosperity across our beloved Southwest through relentless efforts and devotion to workers’ welfare. The union has crossed frontiers, uniting people from all walks of life and establishing solidarity without borders. The Trade Union Congress (TUC) is expected to play critical roles in Nigeria’s regional integration and development, contributing to both economic and social advancement. It is important, therefore, that TUC continues to contribute to stable workforce growth through meaningful advocacy for fair wages and working conditions, help in promoting harmonious employer-employee relations, provide training and capacity-building programmes for workers like we are doing now, promote social justice and encourage policies that aid the development of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). All these are essential for regional development.
Our shared future necessitates collaboration, conquering differences and accepting our diversity. Trade unions are the vision’s torchbearers, championing the cause of workers throughout regions and bridging the gap between aspiration and achievement.
The belief that workers’ rights are human rights is core to our existence as a state and as a region. The dignity of a person is tied to their ability to earn a livelihood in a safe and fair environment. We must continue to fight for this freedom. TUC must be the voice of reason, the defender of justice, and the champion of fairness in the face of hardship. We must remember that employees’ rights are non-negotiable, and our Governor, His Excellency Babajide Sanwo-Olu shares this belief by implementing policies that provide the best workplace for all of us to prosper and a favourable environment for our businesses to thrive. The Lagos state government has consistently prioritized the payment of workers’ salaries, emoluments, proper training, and a never-ending effort to improve workers’ welfare.
The center of excellence, our beloved Lagos State, is the heartbeat of the Southwest region of Nigeria, and it holds a special place in the narrative of social economic and political progress and development of the country. It is a melting pot of cultures and an economic powerhouse. Yet, its vibrancy is not merely due to its geographical location but is a testament to the industrious spirit of its people, the support of its trade unions, and the commitment of its leaders.
Lagos serves as the economic engine, a hub of innovation, and a symbol of what can be achieved when a region has a unity of purpose. The Trade Union Congress (TUC), Lagos Council, has been instrumental in shaping this success story, advocating for policies that benefit workers and the community at large. Together, they exemplify the idea that there is GREATNESS IN UNITY.
As we continue this annual training, let us reaffirm our dedication to the ethos that unites us. Let us remember our roles in regional integration and development, defend workers’ rights as human rights, and continue to cultivate the unique relationship that exists between ourselves, the Lagos state government, and the Southwest.
Finally, let me remind you that there is STRENGTH IN UNITY, and there is PROGRESS IN SOLIDARITY.
Together, we can create a better future for all.
Thank you for listening.
Hon. Ismail Olanrewaju Sunmi Odesanya,
Special Adviser to the Governor of Lagos State on DAWN Commission and Southwest Integration.
