Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies has organized inplant workshops for the organised trade unions in the country as part of the institute’s cardinal objectives of training the trainers for effective and efficient service delivery.
Themed “Dynamic Capabilities and Strategic Leadership Skills Development for Trade Unions in a Changing World of Work” for NUPENG Officials, Kaduna Zone/PEF(M)B and “Understanding Trade Union Practice, Funding, Organizing, Administration and Harmonious Relationship in a Democratic Dispensation” and had in attendance members and Officials in Kwara State Ministry of Transport.
Speaking at the joint opening ceremony held at the Institute on Monday (August 30, 2021), the Director-General/Chief Executive of MINILS, Comrade Issa Aremu, mni, said the workshop was aimed at providing capacity building for the participants.
Comrade Aremu explained that unionists are integral part of the society and their service is very essential and helpful.
“There is no job that is more dignifying than trade union work and you must be proud to say you are a unionist.” DG said.
Comrade Aremu, who emphasized the importance of unions, urged the participants to be united and orderly in their conduct, adding that the opportunity of this 3 day workshop should be maximally utilised. “The journey of a thousand miles begins with a step,” he stated.
The DG noted that the labour movement has, among other things, impacted knowledge and it is only proper to pay it forward by impacting that same knowledge to others.
The participants from the road transport sector were urged to embrace unity and strive to work together because union work cannot be done through violence but with patience.
The MINILS boss who commended the efforts of President Buhari for signing Petroleum Industrial Bill into law as Petroleum Industrial Act, congratulated the participants from NUPENG for this achievement.
While commending the efforts of the Institute at the closing ceremony of the 3-day workshop, the Secretary of Tricycle Owners Association of Nigeria (TOAN), Comrade Abdulazeez Babaeleshin, who represented the participants, appreciated the Minister for his continued support and interest in the Institute.
Babaeleshin commended the MINILS Director-General, Comrade Aremu and the organisers of the programme for the priviledge given to them to attend the workshop.
He promised that the knowledge impacted upon them will be well deployed in their various unions.
The representative of the Director-General, Dr. Samuel Ajakaiye urged the unions to constitute a committee with representatives from each union and the Institute.
This committee will table the unions’ grievances to the government for prompt action and response.
He further enjoined the participants to utilize all they’ve learnt during the workshop in order to contribute to their union’s progress and growth.
Present at the opening ceremony include the Kwara State Trade Union Congress (TUC) Chairman, Comrade Akinsola Akinwumi; State Nigeria Labour Congress Chairman (NLC), Comrade Issa Ore; State Chairman of Union of Tippers and Qaurry Employers of Nigeria (UTQEN), Comrade Yusuf Magaji; State Controller, Federal Ministry of Labour, Alhaji Yusuf Raufu; State Chairman, Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN); State Chairman, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW); Chairman,Okada Riders Association of Nigeria (ORAN); Chairman, Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) (Petroleum Equalisation Fund(PEF) (Management Board), Comrade Prince Ekezie; Director Personnel, Kwara State Ministry of Works, Mayaki Madu, among others.
