By Adesakin Adefemi
Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, APC governorship candidate in Ogun State, says the state’s industrial capacity must translate into higher Internally Generated Revenue to fund workers’ welfare and development projects. He spoke in Abeokuta during a strategic engagement with leaders of Organized Labour.
The meeting, held in the state capital, brought together labour veterans, industrial unions, trade unions and other stakeholders who declared support for Adeola’s governorship bid. The session opened with the Labour Anthem and introductions of participants.
Among those present were Comrade Niyi Osoba, President of Labour Veterans in Ogun State; Comrade Aliu Ambali, Immediate Past President of the Nigeria Labour Congress; Comrade Sansa of the Trade Union Congress; and other labour leaders including Comrades Lasisi, Benco, Sanyaolu and Oloyede.
Osoba said labour leaders understood the political terrain and were ready to mobilize their members for Adeola. He disclosed that active union leaders and retired comrades had resolved to back the APC candidate, noting that the combined strength of unions across Ogun would be significant in the electoral process.
Ambali congratulated Adeola on his emergence as APC governorship candidate and described him as a long-standing friend of the labour movement. He recalled that the senator had been associated with labour for over a decade and assured him of organized workers’ support.
Speaking for Organized Labour, Comrade Benco listed their expectations to include regular engagement with government, improved workers’ welfare, support for social institutions, expansion of employment opportunities, better staff transportation and policies that promote industrial harmony. Labour also requested a Ministry of Labour and Establishment, Workers’ Estate, functional Workers’ Loan Board, recruitment into vacant positions and a Staff Development Centre.
Other demands included re-establishment of a bulk purchasing scheme, payment of outstanding leave allowances, more staff buses and routes, liquidation of gratuities, consequential pension adjustment, regular gratuity payments and strict enforcement of the Contributory Pension Scheme through prompt remittances.
Responding, Adeola thanked the labour leaders for their confidence and assured them that their requests were legitimate and would receive attention. He said issues such as staff clinics and cooperatives would also be considered, and workers would be involved in policy discussions from the planning stage.
The senator stressed that improved revenue generation would be critical to meeting workers’ expectations. Describing himself as a finance person, he said his administration would harness Ogun’s industrial base, emerging deep seaport, gas deposits and proximity to Lagos to expand revenue, attract investment, create jobs and improve welfare. He pledged to consolidate Governor Dapo Abiodun’s achievements through his nine-pillar “Itesiwaju” agenda for economic growth and inclusive development.
Labour leaders reaffirmed support for Adeola and pledged to work with his team toward the success of the APC governorship project.
