The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, has sent a message of hope to Nigerians ahead of the country’s 64th Independence Day.
OsunDailyNG reports that Nigeria is observing a public holiday on Tuesday, October 1, commemorating the country’s Independence from British rule.
In his message celebrating Nigeria’s 2024 independence, Ajaero urged Nigerians not to give up their hope for a better Nigeria.
However, the NLC president called upon citizens to hold their government accountable at all levels.
He praised Nigerian workers’ determination and sacrifices while addressing the ongoing issues of betrayal and corruption within the nation’s political framework.
He noted that for many years, Nigerians, especially those in the working class, have suffered from unfulfilled promises and exploitation.
Ajaero stressed that the marginalized citizens, who continue to endure the consequences of these broken commitments and corruption, should maintain their hope for a better future in their country.
Furthermore, the NLC President advocated for change, encouraging Nigerians to engage in lawful protests against injustices and the undermining of democratic values. He asserted that only through persistent advocacy can the political elite be motivated to prioritize the welfare of the nation.
The NLC President’s statement reads:
“THE BEGINNING OF A NEW ERA
“Being the text of the goodwill mesage by the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Joe Ajaero on the occasion of Nigeria’s 64th independence anniversary.
“On the ocassion of Nigeria’s 64th independence anniversary celebration, we congratulate all Nigerians, especially workers for their sacrifice, resilience or robust spirit in spite of serial acts of betrayal of monumental proportions by the political leadership at various times and levels.
“We urge the downtrodden Nigerians who bear the marks or burden of these broken promises, exploitation and corruption to not give up hope on their country.
“In light of the fact that their sacrifice has been taken for granted for so long, they should learn to protest within the limits of the law against injustices and subversion of democratic norms, culture and values by the dominant political elite.
“It should be apparent to the citizenry that the leading political elite are not ready to do the right thing except they are compelled to do so.
“In the same vein, we would like to sound a note of caution to our political elite whose preoccupation is to circumvent the principles and practice of popular democracy that undermining of our democratic institutions can no longer be business as usual.
“The consequences of their acts of commission or omission brought us this far. It is time to turn a new leaf. Let it be the beginning of a new low.”
