By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja.
NIGERIA Labour Congress (NLC), Kogi chapter has elected new Executive Council members with Comrade Gabriel Amari emerging new Chairman to steer the affairs of the organised labour in the next four years.
The election and subsequent inauguration of newly elected executive members took place at the 8th Quadrennial State Delegates Conference held at the NLC Secretariat on Tuesday in Lokoja.
Amari who was of Medical and Health Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), Kogi chapter was elected un-opposed along with other members of his eight-member Executive Committee.
Other Executive members elected were Comrades Ebenezer Adeyemi and Opaluwa Eleojo as Vice Chairmen; Salifu Joel As Treasurer; Omuya Momoh and Awodi Ochala as Adutors; and Bolanle Inubiwon & Oyiza Sanni as Ex-Officios.
Comrade Joe Ajaero, National President of the NLC who was represented by Comrade Roseline Uba, NLC National Returning Officer, supervised the exercise later inaugurated the new Executive members.
Ajaero charged the new Chairman and other Exco members to work together in unity to improve the welfare of workers in the state.
Ajaero urged the new Exco to surpass the achievements of the immediate past Exco, and ensure harmonious relationship with the State Government for the benefit of workers in the state.
Earlier, the Chairman Accreditation Committee of NLC Delegates Election, Comrade Saliu Oganza, said eight candidates applied for eight available elective positions and were returned un-opposed as there were no other contestants.
In his acceptance speech, the new Kogi NLC chairman, Amari commended the immediate past Chairman, Comrade Onuh Edoka and his Exco for laying a solid foundation and promised to consolidate on their numerous achievements in office.
”With your support and cooperation, we will move Kogi workers to the next level. I assure you that we shall not disappoint you and the confidence you have reposed in us”, Amari said.
Comrade Amari however, appealed to the State Government to hold quarterly meetings with the organised labour and appoint Comrade Onuh Edoka, the immediate past NLC Chairman, as the Special Adviser on Labour Matters because of his vast experience in resolving labour dispute.
Governor, Yahaya Bello, the state governor, congratulated the new NLC Exco, and urged them to sustain and surpass the achievements of the previous committees.
Bello who was represented by the state Head of Service, Mrs Hannah Odiyo, commended the state leadership of the Organised Labour for their show of patriotism and maturity in ensuring industrial harmony.
He assured that Government would continue to make workers welfare its priority, stressing that the welfare of workers was at the heart of the government as he solicited further cooperation of Organised Labour.
Earlier, in his valedictory speech, Comrade Onuh thanked the entire workers in the state for their unprecedented support and cooperation, and urged them to extend same to the new Exco.
Comrade Onuh enumerated his numerous achievements while in office for the past eight years including the completion and commissioning of the new Labour Secretariat House.
He commended the governor for his support and for the improvements in workers welfare, regular payment of salaries, remuneration and promotion with cash back. (Ends)