WORKERS’ DAY SPECIAL: YCW vows to build a better Nigeria

The Nigerian arm of a global workers’ body, the Young Christian Workers Movement, Nigeria (YCWN) on Monday held a peace match in Lagos to commemorate this year’s May Day celebration.

The 3km Peace Trek which took off after Mass held at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Gowon Estate, proceeded to St. Ferdinand, Baruwa, Boys Town, Ipaja where a mammoth crowed heralded the reception and grand finale.

In his valedictory speech on behalf of Nigerian workers to the federal and state governments on Monday, the YCW President, Paul-Mary, said governments of Nigeria cannot wish for a better workforce under the sun.

“Nigerian workers are known to be very patient, devoted and active,” he began. “They are the most ill-treated, abused and underpaid workforce in the world and they always believe that tomorrow will bring a better hope.

“Today is a day of sober reflection for both Workers and governments of this nation. We want people in government to consider that dignity of labour today ensures a temperate, focused and service-oriented generation for tomorrow’s leadership. Government must know that life is garbage-in, garbage-out: the seed you sow into workers today is what you will harvest in your old age when they take over the mantle of leadership, but we as Young Christian Workers Movement of Nigeria say no to this ugly trend.

“In the midst of epileptic power problem, housing, inflation, hunger and insecurity, unnerving and satanic corruption like nowhere else in the world and other deplorable events which have troubled the very psyche of Nigerian workers as well as the conscience of all have come to light.

“We must stop these today and we are the generation to stop it. Give us tomorrow, and we will guarantee you a better Nigeria, a buoyant economy and good life for all Nigerians.”

In his address to the Workers, the Archbishop of Lagos Diocese, His Grace, Alfred Adewale Martins, ably represented by Chancellor Monsignor Obanla paid tribute to the courage of the Nigerian workers.

Tracing the history of YCW to Cardinal Joseph Cardijn of Belgium who, in 1912, created the forum in a bid to train workers to evangalise and adjust to work ethics in offices and factories working on the methodological principles of “See-Judge-Act”, the Archbishop regretted that “In our contemporary time where workers are faced with conflicting values, we are called as Jesus described in Matthew 5:13-16 to be Salt and Light of the earth, bringing the gospel and its warmth to whoever we encounter. I urge you in the same spirit to promote goodwill amongst yourselves and never hold back the help you can render to one another in preserving, protecting and defending the teaching of the Church.”

In a close chat with The Daily Times, the Regional Chaplain of the body, the Very Reverend Monsignor Livinus Ukah affirmed that the Young Christian Workers in Nigeria are proud of who they are and where they are going. “This is why, every May Day, they make a statement that gingers one into action and makes one conscious of being responsible citizens. The youths must know that the future belongs to them. This is a big challenge.

“Living in a complex society like Nigeria requires certain degree of seriousness to inherit the land, Nigeria. They are going to inherit the mantle of leadership. Knowing what lies ahead, they challenge each other for a successful take-over.”

Ukay reasons that the positive action yields dividend and promotes good values that will liberate Nigeria from the shackles of poverty, disunity, political alienation, ethnicity and narrow-minded ideas that mare the image of Nigeria.”

He said further that the difference they will make will lift Nigeria to a world state. “The YCW have seen that ideas rule the world and with that, they will use their togetherness to achieve their desired purpose for the good of the nation. Their connections with other young Christian workers all over the globe will yield great dividend. The contribution and wealth of ideas at the international conferences also help to boost the image of Nigeria and this is so because they let their actions make the difference.”

It would be recalled that Justina Awele, a member of the YCWN was appointed member of the new West Africa Regional Commission at a recent international council of ICYCW held in South Korea. “So you can see that wherever a Nigerian goes, he makes a difference. With this slogan registered in our memory bank, we shall change things in our country,” Ukah assured.