A frontline trade unionist, Comrade Issa Aremu has called for an urgent entrenchment of National ethics as contained in 1999 constitution as well as Community renaissance as a precondition for eradication of poverty, insecurity and violent crimes in Nigeria.
Comrade Aremu made this submission in Abuja while reviewing the book in celebration of the 60th birthday of Senator Ibrahim Oloriegbe from Kwara Central Senatorial District and the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health.
He solicited for what he called “institutionalised teaching of ethics in schools” to cultivate virtuous leader and Community/ family renaissance” to banish poverty and marginalisation which breeds insecurity.
Condemning the notion of a failed state for Nigeria, the Labour leader said; “If community is grounded in core values of discipline, hard and smart work and integrity, any failing state can be reconstituted.”
He therefore made a case for Nigeria, in which families through education, love, solidarity and kindness can assist all children to realise their dreams.
Comrade Aremu also called for the reinvention of public schools “as the precondition to develop critical mass Human Resources for development”.
The book entitled “Paragon of Virtues”, was written by children, friends and associates of Senator Oloriegbe to extol his virtues in areas of humility, generosity, hard work, discipline and integrity.
He hailed the “record achievements” of Senator Oloriegbe, saying “though he became an orphan early in life but he completed primary, secondary and university studies with distinctions in quick succession”, graduated as a Medical doctor, excelled in private medical practices and later emerged as elected Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, having recorded a landmark victory during 2019 elections.”
According to the labour leader, ”Senator Oloriegbe is the first to move motion in the current 9th Senate and currently the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health and the pride of Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria and Africa.”
Meanwhile, Comrade Aremu commended Governor Abdulrahaman Abdulrazaq of Kwara State for renovating as many as 29 public secondary schools after decades of neglect.
He is a two-term former Vice President of Nigeria Labour Congress and currently Vice President of Industrial Global Union.
The book launch was witnessed by Senate President, Ahmed Lawal, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, Chief of Staff who-represented the President and the Emir of Ilorin and Chairman of Kwara State Traditional Councils, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari who served as the Royal Father of the day.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
