Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, on Thursday received members of various labour unions in the state on peaceful rally at the Lagos House, Alausa, where he urged them to put their weight behind the anti-corruption crusade of President Muhammadu Buhari.
The Governor who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Tunji Bello commended the labour unions consisting members of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), National Youth Council (NYC) and the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) for their decision to show solidarity with President’s Buhari’s quest to stem corruption.
He said that Nigeria is presently at a defining moment of its democratic history which will require all hands to be on deck and support the drive of the government at the centre to return the nation to its glory days.
“We must thank you immensely for the support that you are giving President Buhari. This is what Nigerians need. You are the leaders, you are the opinion moulders, without you setting agenda, there is no way this country can progress, so we really appreciate you”.
“All the messages you have brought on this anti-corruption crusade must be delivered to President Buhari. The Governor said I should assure you that your message will be delivered because he takes you as very important partners in progress”.
“He is also seeking your support for all the things President Buhari and the State Governor are doing, so whatever input you may wish to offer, his doors are always open to you”, Bello said.
State Chairman of the TUC, Comrade Akeem Kazeem, said they decided to stage the rally nationwide to throw their full weight behind President Buhari’s anti-corruption campaign, lamenting that the scourge has not only plunged the nation into wanton poverty and infrastructural decay but has dented the image of Nigeria over the years.
“Corruption has created a very bad image for the country and its citizens, as Nigerians are viewed as corrupt and dubious people outside. It has affected all sectors: health, education, petroleum, power, agriculture, transport, goods and services as well as manufacturing”.
“It has also led to massive brain drain- a great number of Nigeria best brains have been driven to other parts of the world where they now spearhead developmental and scientific exploits”.
“On average, virtually all aspects of Nigeria’s infrastructure are in deplorable condition. The country is characterised by bad road networks, constant power outage, lack of security, inadequate water supply, outdated health facilities and declining education system, failing communication networks and unstable economic growth”, Kazeem said.
He also commended Governor Ambode’s strides in the first 100 days in office, saying that the labour unions are fully in support of his drive to invigorate the state civil service and engender development in the state.
“In this state, we have said pensioners’ benefits have not been getting the required attention for so long a time. We must recognise the fact that we are aware that Governor Ambode has released the sum of N11billion to offset pension arrears. It’s a right step in the right direction”.
Representatives of the TUC, NLC, CDHR and NYC at the rally took turns to present letters to Governor Ambode for onward transmission to President Buhari, to intimate him of their full support for his anti-graft war.
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