The National Executive Council, (NEC) highest organ of Congress, second only to the National Delegates Conference took place in Sokoto, the seat of the Caliphate, on Friday, November 11. The high point of the organ meeting which often provides for the Congress to do a critical appraisal of the working and living conditions of Nigerian workers-pensioners members and, their families as well as the state of the nation was the courtesy call on His Eminence, Amirul Mumineen Sultan Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar mni. Comrades drawn from the industrial unions affiliated to the NLC and the 36 states of the federation undoubtedly prepared for royal courtesies and advise. But to the delight of all, comrades to the bargain had a bagful of ribs cracking jokes, hard talks and advices on critical subjects as good governance, peace and development, unity of the labour movement and the country, productivity, imperatives of dialogue and dispute resolutions among others.
Having just successfully concluded the 10th anniversary as the 20th Sultan of Sokoto, a week long events which attracted local and international dignitaries, the Sultan was excited at the choice of the seat of the Caliphate for the labour retreat and meeting. He eminently informed the comrades, that to the extent that “we all fight for social justice, I am also a comrade” to the applause of hundreds of labour delegates at the palace. “We are all struggling together to make life better for our citizens”.
He repeatedly referred to the quotable quotes of the Founding Fathers of the Sokoto Caliphate on imperatives of “truth”, “social justice” and “accountability”, same shared values and principles of the labour movement. He recalled that Uthman Danfodio, well over 200 years ago, had observed that a community can actually endure with unbelief but certainly not without social justice, adding that good governance is only possible with peace and social justice.
The Sultan underscored the importance of history in schools. He observed that a nation that lacks memory and knowledge of the past could not draw on its rich heritage in wisdom. He tasked the National Assembly members to make history a compulsory subject in the country. As part of the Sultanate effort to preserve received wisdom and knowledge, two new publications dealing with times of the past and present 20 Sultans and compilation of Research paper as a participant of SEC 28 of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, NIPPS, Kuru Jos. The Sultan graciously disclosed that copies would made available to the labour movement while he presented to the NLC President, Ayuba Wabba a copy of the PRINCIPLES OF LEADERSHIP According to the Founding Fathers of the Sokoto Caliphate (Collated and Edited by Hamid Bobboyi).
His Eminence underscored the importance of the labour movement to national development. “You are important given that the lives of millions that belong to you depend on what you do which place huge responsibilities of your leadership”.
Sultan, who disclosed that he follows with keen interest what takes place in the labour movement, decried the electoral crisis that rocked the NLC at its 2015 11th delegates” conference. It was the “lowest” in the history of labour seeing ballots papers flying as comrades we’re at loggerheads over elections. A strong labour movement is “a saving grace” for Nigeria but that is if labour itself sets the best standard. He said NLC should count of the sultanate’s support to ensure stability in the labour movement. The Sultan expressed profound delight seeing a renewed united labour urging that more should be done to unite all the aggrieved in the movement.
The Sultan counseled comrades on the imperative of destiny in the affairs of human beings adding that with the best of efforts ultimately only God determines who leads. He cited his example who entered NIPPS in 2006 as a military officer but ended up as the 20th Sultan! He urged the NLC leadership to promote the culture of productivity through dignity of labour and serve as whistle blowers against corruption pointing out that no corruption can take place if the ordinary workers refuse to be accomplices. Nigeria is currently facing a number of economic challenges adding that all stakeholders must cooperate to overcome these challenges. The solution is not in lamentation but in what the late Sardauna of Sokoto Sir Ahmadu Bello, called Work and Worship. Like in other developed countries Nigerian workers must take pride in the work for which they are paid. It would be inappropriate for any employer to owe workers their legitimate salaries after their efforts. “Work hard to the best of your ability and live the rest to God”.
The Sultan emphasised the importance of dialogue in the resolution of labour crisis. “I have had causes to intervene in a number of labour disputes. At the end of the day, most labour conflicts are in the final analysis resolved through consultation and dialogue. If that is so why then not opt for dialogue first instead of confrontation? We must disagree to agree and agree not to disagree”. Labour should therefore ensure mass consultation at all levels with stakeholders on how to address national problems instead of going on strike and mass actions which often lead to products’ scarcity and even higher prices with respect to fuel price. The Sultan called on labour to work for national unity saying labour should resist any attempt to Balkanize the country on account of religion and politics. He said the recent national grief and solidarity which trailed the recent deaths of patriotic and gallant soldiers like the Lt. Col. Abu Ali and his colleagues killed in the course of the battle showed that Nigerians are united to defend the country. He said a trip from Sokoto to Port Harcourt reveals the abundant blessings of Nigeria that must be realized by all.