Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies MINILS, has organized implant workshops on “Dynamic Capabilities and Strategic Leadership Skills Development for Trade Unions in a Changing World of Work” for NUPENG officials, Kaduna zone/PEF(M)B and “Understanding Trade Union Practice, Funding, Organizing, Administration and Harmonious Relationship in a Democratic Dispensation” for Unions and officials in Kwara State Ministry of Transport.
The Director-General/Chief Executive of MINILS, Comrade Issa Aremu, while speaking at the joint opening ceremony held at the Institute reiterated that “there is no job that is more dignifying than trade union work and you must be proud to say you are a unionist.”
Comrade Aremu, who emphasized the importance of unions, urged the participants to be united and orderly in their conduct, adding that the opportunity of this 3-day workshop should be maximally utilised. “The journey of a thousand miles begins with a step,” he stated.
Knowledge acquisition
The DG noted that the labour movement has, among other things, impacted knowledge and it is only proper to pay it forward by impacting that same knowledge to others. The participants from the road transport sector were urged to embrace unity and strive to work together because union work cannot be done through violence but with patience.
The MINILS boss who commended the efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari for signing Petroleum Industrial Bill into law as Petroleum Industrial Act, congratulated the participants from NUPENG for this achievement.
Present at the opening ceremony include the Kwara State Trade Union Congress (TUC) Chairman, Comrade Akinsola Akinwumi; State Nigeria Labour Congress Chairman (NLC), Comrade Issa Ore; State Chairman of Union of Tippers and Qaurry Employers of Nigeria (UTQEN), Comrade Yusuf Magaji; State Controller, Federal Ministry of Labour, Alhaji Yusuf Raufu; State Chairman, Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN); State Chairman, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW); Chairman, Okada Riders Association of Nigeria (ORAN); Chairman, Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) (Petroleum Equalisation Fund(PEF) (Management Board), Comrade Prince Ekezie; Director Personnel, Kwara State Ministry of Works, Mayaki Madu, among others.
While commending the efforts of the Institute at the closing ceremony of the 3-day workshop, the Secretary of Tricycle Owners Association of Nigeria (TOAN), Comrade Abdulazeez Babaeleshin, who represented the participants, appreciated the minister for his continued support and interest in the Institute, as well as the Director-General and the organisers of the programme for the privilege given to them to attend the workshop. He promised that the knowledge impacted upon them will be well deployed in their various unions.
The representative of the Director-General, Dr. Samuel Ajakaiye urged the unions to constitute a committee with representatives from each union and the Institute. This committee will table the unions’ grievances to the government for prompt action and response. He further enjoined the participants to utilize all they’ve learnt during the workshop in order to contribute to their union’s progress and growth.
Nneka Ukachukwu
