Emulate ANAP, Labour minister charges trade unions

Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo

The Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige has advised trade unions in the country to emulate the good conduct of the Association of Nigerian Aviation Professionals (ANAP) since the group was registered 3 years ago. Hon Ngige who gave the commendation in his goodwill message yesterday at the first National Delegates of ANAP which held in Ota Ogun State said the pioneer executive of ANAP has done unionism proud. According to Ngige, their zeal and unflinching efforts geared towards the registration of this union three years ago and their wisdom and vision in organizing this first delegates conference, coupled with the remarkable arrangements made for the occasion are worthy of emulation by other newly registered Trade unions. The minister who was represented by Controller of Labour, Olawuni Anthony urged the new executive that are coming in, that the challenges ahead are enormous but surmountable with dedication and God’s guidance. Ngige advised them to remain focused and trust in the cooperation of their members to make a positive difference. Congratulating the National Working Committee (NWC) and members for their cooperation, Ngige said “It is, therefore, against this backdrop that this National Delegates Conference assumes great importance. It should be treated with the seriousness it deserves. All hands should be on deck to ensure its success. I have no doubt in my mind that the outcome will significantly move your union to the next level.” In his goodwill message, President of United Labour Congress (ULC), Mr. Joe Ajaero thanked ANAP for their good showing. Ajaero said “I want to thank ANAP because what I am seeing today is very pleasing. Last year, most unions celebrated decades of their anniversaries but not as big as what I am seeing today in ANAP”. According to the ULC leader, Concession and privatization are giving the unions a headache. He, therefore, advised the union members to keep deaf ears to anybody telling them that privatization will create more jobs “There is no government in Nigeria that is not going to privatize. It depends on the level of organisers of the labour leaders. If not well reinforced, the government will continue to privatize. Privatization took place across political divides. It is a concept given to them by the Bretton Woods system of monetary management established the rules for commercial and financial relations among the United States, Canada, Western Europe countries, Australia, and Japan after the 1944 Bretton Woods Agreement”. “Let us not be deceived by our political inclinations. As unionists, we should not be divided. Politicians are united, they are not quarrelling. I am happy to identify with ANAP”. Applauding ANAP for collaborating with the Nigerian Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers, (NAAPE) and other unions, Ajaero urged members to join hands together as that will make their job easier. The high point of the event marked the election of members into the executive that would pilot the affairs of the association for the next 4-year period. Awards were also given to deserving stakeholders, including the director-general of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Capt Fola Akinkuotu; Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Capt Abdulsalami Mohammed and Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMet ). Ekiti State lawmaker, Hon Princess Titilayo Owolabi Akerele and others were also honoured with the prestigious award.