As Nigeria marks its 64th independence anniversary, leaders within the Nigerian labour movement have praised the nation’s resilience despite numerous challenges.
The Chairman of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Niger State Chapter, Comrade Idris Abdulkareem Lafeni, highlighted the country’s unity as a significant achievement.
In an interview with Voice of Nigeria’s Zonal Correspondent, Abubakar Hassan, in Minna, the capital of Niger State, Lafeni reflected on the strength it takes for a nation to remain united despite religious, cultural, and linguistic differences.
“We have come of age as a nation to have survived this long under both Independence and Democracy. Despite our challenges as a developing country, we are gradually overcoming obstacles like hunger, poverty, and infrastructure decay,” said Lafeni.
Addressing the issues of unemployment and the collapse of industries in Nigeria, the NLC Chairman stressed the importance of collective effort to revive the nation’s industrial sector. He noted that it should not be the sole responsibility of the government.
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“It concerns me deeply, especially when you consider the textile industries. They were once major employers of labour, but today, they are practically non-existent in Nigeria. The government’s role is to create an enabling environment for industries to thrive, which in turn, will reduce unemployment.”
Lafeni acknowledged that the Niger State government is making strides in boosting the economy and agricultural sector. However, he emphasized the need for better policies to achieve these goals.
“For now, the governor is working hard to attract investors, but we need to focus on processing our abundant raw materials within the state. Instead of just cultivating crops, we should establish processing centres so that raw produce can be processed locally and distributed across the country. This would boost the state’s economic hub and increase internally generated revenue.”
He concluded by urging workers in the state to remain hopeful, patriotic, and committed to the nation’s socio-economic development, praying for Nigeria’s continued progress.
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