2015 NLC rain school opens in Uyo

The 13th Rain School of the Nigeria labour Congress (NLC) has opened in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State with a commitment from the State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel to partner the NLC when the Rain School eventually becomes a labour college.

Governor Udom Emmanuel who was represented at the occasion by his deputy, Mr Moses Ekpo made pledge while declaring the Rain school open.

 He enumerated the positive functions of labour in both state and national level and reaffirmed that Akwa Ibom state government was not indebted to workers in the state in terms of salary and that plans were in top gear to pay gratuity to workers from 2000 to 2011.

In his speech the national chairperson of NLC Comrade Ayuba Wabba stated the resolve of the NLC to convert the Rain School to a Labour College soonest and called on the state government’s assistance in that direction.

Wabba recalled with dissatisfaction the level of bad governance, corruption, insecurity and non-payment of salaries to workers in the past and called on president Buhari to effect a positive change for the betterment of citizens in the country.

The NLC boss disclosed that the National Executive Council (NEC) after their forthcoming meeting in Abuja will declare a day of national protest action to highlight labour’s anger concerning massive corruption and other vices of governance in Nigeria.

He described the six years of the rain school in Akwa Ibom state as successful since it has succeeded in building capacity of the leadership of trade unions; develop gender equity awareness among unions as well as promote consciousness of core values of trade unionism.

Earlier in his welcome address, the chairperson of NLC  Akwa Ibom state chapter, Comrade Etim Ukpong commended the cordial relationship existing between labour and government in the state which has turned labour to favour. He restated that his administration since its inception has continued to advocate a proactive approach to labour-employee relationship in the state.
Ukpong described the theme of the conference of the 2015 Rain School “The Labour Movement And The Politics Of Change” as apt to the Nigerian political situation since it will bring trade unionists together to share ideas and experiences, provide a platform for workers to examine the issues of labour and the politics of Nigeria as well as create the opportunity for workers to present their expectations of change to the political and trade union leadership.

Solidarity messages were presented by participants from Kenya, south Africa, Cameroun, International labour organization and American center for International labour solidarity among others.