Oba Lekan Balogun, the Olubadan of Ibadan land, on Saturday, implored organised labour to reconsider their plans for a nationwide strike set to kick off next Tuesday.
On the occasion of Nigeria’s 63rd Independence Day, Oba Balogun’s message, disseminated in Ibadan by his Personal Assistant on Media, Mr. Oladele Ogunsola, appealed to labour leaders to have a change of heart.
He urged the labour unions, which include the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), to engage in meaningful dialogue and problem-solving rather than proceeding with the planned strike, addressing the pressing issues at hand.
‘The labour leaders should prevail on their members to bear with the present administration, with the mindset that no problem could be solved with another problem,’ the traditional ruler said.
He equally enjoined the Federal Government not to overstretch the people, saying there must be tangible measures to reassure them that the Tinubu administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda was truly for real.
‘I plead for dialogue between labour and government, and in dialoguing, there should be openness and understanding.’
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‘Let us bear in mind that where two elephants fight, it is the grass there that suffers.’
‘Let’s be mindful of the effect of a total paralysis on our battered economy.’
‘Consider the sick, consider the pupils and students from our nursery schools to the universities, among several others, who will bear the brunt.’
‘I want our labour leaders to cast their minds back to the last prolonged strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the effect on our students.’
‘How do we compensate for the loss of a whole academic session in the lives of the affected students?’
‘Such loss is eternal, because it is not possible to wind back the hands of the clock. That’s just an example,’ Oba Balogun pleaded.
However, the Olubadan acknowledged the labour movement’s viewpoint concerning the hardships endured by both workers and the broader population.
He pointed out that circumstances had taken a turn for the worse, and the everyday life of the population in the country was steadily deteriorating.
‘But in spite of this we need to apply caution, considering the short time of the present administration so far and in view of what it inherited.’
The Ibadan traditional leader further portrayed President Tinubu as a trustworthy individual, asserting that there is no grounds for scepticism regarding his capability to uphold his campaign pledges.
He pressed the President and his team to expedite the process of making crucial decisions and implementing urgent actions to soften the blow of policies that have already been enacted.
The Olubadan emphasised to the nation’s leadership that human resilience had its bounds and that Nigerians should not be pushed beyond those limits.
Oba Balogun joined in congratulating Nigerians on the anniversary and called upon all to appreciate God’s role in maintaining national unity despite the multitude of challenges.
‘Looking back, at 63, we may be tempted to write ourselves off as a nation for not having attained the expected and commensurate height.’
‘But, if we think deeply, we will see the need to appreciate and acknowledge the divine touch of God in the affairs of the country and for which I felicitate all.’
‘Let’s remain optimistic, committed and steadfast with unshakeable faith in God for a better and prosperous nation that all of us will be proud of once again,’ he stated.