The Minister of Labour and Productivity, Mr Emeka Wogu on Monday said Nigerians have every reason to celebrate the nation’s centenary.
Wogu in a message to the opening of the annual Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Harmattan School, said that the economic and human potentials of the nation were too great to ignore.
“It is because of the size of our domestic market and enormous natural resources that many global economists predicted that Nigeria’s economy is on track to become the largest in Africa within the next decade”.
Represented by Mr Monyel Dinma, the minister said Nigeria was not a mistake, noting that the challenges facing the country were inevitable in the development process of any nation.
“So it is essentially important therefore, we should know there is no country like Nigeria. We should think Nigeria and be proud of Nigeria.
“The above assertion is premised on the fact that every society is built on its thought process. If we cannot celebrate Nigeria then it means we are not proud of Nigeria.
“We must use the occasion of our centenary celebration to affirm to ourselves that Nigeria is not an accident.”
Wogu said about 15, 000 direct and indirect jobs would be created during the centenary celebration in Abuja in 2014.
On work ethics, the minister urged workers in the country to imbibe the values of hard work and discipline.
He said the traits were necessary in transforming the public service, adding that the worker “bears the greater burden of whatever magnitude of problems that affects us as a nation”.
He said the federal Government would collaborate with state and local governments to ensure that workers receive their dues, to maintain industrial peace and harmony across the country.
In his speech, the President of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Abdulwaheed Omar, said the harmattan school was introduced to offer trade unionists a forum to discuss current national issues.
This year’s theme is “100 years of Nationhood; National Development and Challenges for the Future”.
He said education was key to overcoming the challenges of life, urging the participants to earn something tangible out of the discussions.
In a goodwill message, the President of Sierra Leon labour union, Comrade Bala Koroma appreciated the support given to his country by Nigeria, adding that the two nations had a robust history of friendship and brotherliness. (NAN)
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