16th MArch 2012

INTRODUCTION
The National Union of Textile Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria (NUTGTWN), private sector industrial union affiliated to the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has concluded arrangement to hold its 10th Quadrennial National Delegates Conference. The historic Conference holds from Wednesday 28th to Friday 30th March 2012 at the Grand Hotel, Asaba Delta State. Pre-Conference Delegates’ National Executive Council (NEC) holds on Wednesday March 28th, 2012 while the Delegates Conference holds on Thursday 29th and Friday 30th March, 2012.

THEME
The theme of the Conference is Transforming Nigeria Through Re-industrialization, Employment and Decent Work. The Conference is another opportunity to compliment the transformation agenda of the Federal government with respect to industrialisation and job creation.

DELEGATES
Thousands of Delegates and observes are drawn from the textile and garment industries across the country as well as self-employed and kampala makers, union veterans, fraternal unions in Nigeria and South Africa.

HIGHLIGHTS
The highlight of the Conference is stocktaking of union’s struggles, achievements and weaknesses in the past four years as well as opportunities for the future. In particular, the Conference will review major achievements of the union in areas of Collective Bargaining, Unionisation, Workers education, Internal Democracy, Union’s finance, Gender issues, Health and Safety and HIV/AIDs issues. There will be election of the new national officers that will run the affairs of the union in the next four (4) years.

The opening ceremony of the Conference will hold on Thursday March 29th, 2012 at the main conference hall of Grand Hotel, Asaba, Delta State. The President of the union, Comrade Reginald Agulanna and General Secretary, Comrade Issa Aremu mni. are the comrade hosts. President Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Abdulwaheed Omar as well as Presidents and General Secretaries of sister Industrial unions are special guests.

Distinguished Guests include the Comrade Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole mni., host Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, Chairman Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote GCON, Honourable Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu, Honourable Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, Honourable Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr. Olusegun Aganga and Chairpersons Senate and House Committees on Labour and Industry respectively.

Other dignitaries expected at the occasion are the Chairman, Nigeria Textile Manufacturers Association, Mr. Ibrahim Iganmu and Director General, Mr. J.P. Olarewaju, captains of industry, members of the civil society and international guests.

The Vice President of Nigeria, Arch. Namadi Sambo GCON is expected to declare the conference open as Special Guest of Honour.

The 3-day conference will feature a Dinner/Award Night on Thursday March 29, 2012 in which eminent Nigerians and trade union activists and veterans will be honoured for their contributions to the labour movement and national development. Former Presidents of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) namely Comrades Hassan Sunmonu, Ali Ciroma, Pascal Bafyau and current President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) are part of the distinguished awardees. Good Governance awards will be presented to the Comrade Governor of Edo State and former General Secretary of the union, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole as well as Executive Governors of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko and Rivers State, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi. The Managing Director of the Bank of Industry, Ms Evelyn Oputu are among those the union will specially honoured for commitment towards industrial revival.

The Conference will end with a Communiqué of major decisions taken at the Conference.

Reginald Agulanna Uwa Issa Aremu mni.
PRESIDENT GENERAL SECRETARY