8th February, 2023
By Joan Nwagwu
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has sworn in Mr Joe Ajaero as its new president for the next four years.
Ajaero, the former General Secretary of the National Union of Electricity, was elected by consensus at the 13th National Delegates Conference of the NLC in Abuja.
He succeeded Ayuba Wabba, who led the NLC from 2015 to 2023.
In his acceptance speech, the new NLC president stated that the executives were committed to pursuing the interests and desires of workers and all Nigerians.
He promised that his leadership would speak for millions of Nigerians and seek a platform to lift them out of poverty.
”We, therefore, pledge our loyalty to the NLC, workers, the Nigerian people and the country. Our thoughts and actions shall be propelled by this avowal,” he said.
He said that his leadership would pursue a new national minimum wage law that would take into consideration the objective reality of the socio-economic situation, and expand its reach to capture more workers.
According to him, the wage review law will be sought through the national labour advisory council, to ensure that all loopholes exploited by workplace partners to restrict the efforts of making workplaces more decent compliance are blocked.
”We urge all employers of labour who have unsettled issues with their workers and unions to immediately resolve them to avoid our intervention,” he said.
Ajaero urged the government to review the privatisation policy on the electricity sector as it was mired in corruption.
Other members of the executive include Prince Adewale Adeyanju, Deputy National President; Mr Audu Amber, 2nd Deputy National President; Mr Kabiru Sani, also a National Deputy President.
Ambali Olatunji was elected the National Treasurer; Benjamin Anthony, Vice President; Mr Steve Okoro, Vice President; Mr Michael Nnachi, Vice President; Mr Olawole Sunday, Vice President; Mr Marwan Adamu, Financial Secretary.
Others are, Mr Williams Akporeha, National Trustee; and three Internal Auditors, Mr Babatunde Olatunji, Mr Mohammed Ibrahim and Haruna Ibrahim; as well as two ex-officio members.
NAN