- Safiu Kehinde
The 2023 Labour Party’s Presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has harped on the need to prioritise the welfare of workers in the process of nation building.
Obi maintained that the progress of a society depends on the quality of its workforce, stressing that a nation suffers when the workers suffer.
The former Anambra state governor made this known in a statement issued on his official X handle on Friday in commemoration with the Workers’ Day celebration.
While commending workers across the country for their daily sacrifices, Obi decried the economic hardship endured by the workforce, stressing that their minimum wage is no longer sustainable in the face of inflation.
“On this Workers’ Day, I warmly salute workers across the world, especially Nigerian workers whose daily sacrifices continue to sustain our families, communities, institutions, and national economy, even in the face of severe hardship and uncertainty.
“It is deeply painful that those who wake up every day to teach, heal, build, farm, produce, transport, protect, and serve our nation are still denied the dignity and fair reward their labour deserves.
“In today’s Nigeria, the minimum wage can no longer guarantee even the most modest standard of living, as inflation, rising food prices, transportation costs, and economic hardship continue to erode the value of honest work.
“No nation can truly develop beyond the strength, productivity, and wellbeing of its workforce.
“The progress of any society rests on the quality of its human capital, the skill of its people, and the commitment of its workers. When workers suffer, the nation suffers.” He said.
Obi added when workers are empowered, the nation prospers.
Meanwhile, the ex-Anambra governor noted that beyond their labour, the workers also possess another powerful tool in terms of the voices and votes which, according to him, can shape governance and determine the future direction of the nation.
He charged the workers to utilise these powers and support a leadership built on competence, character, and capacity amongst others.
“I therefore urge Nigerian workers to recognise the strength they hold collectively.
“They owe it to themselves, their children, and future generations to support and demand leadership built on competence, character, capacity, credibility, and compassion.
“By refusing to reward failure, corruption, ethnic division, and bad governance, they can help build a nation where hard work is respected and rewarded with dignity.
“A productive nation must be built on justice, fairness, and respect for labour. That is the Nigeria we must work together to achieve. With the support and participation of Nigerian workers, a New Nigeria is POssible.” He added.