Some Nigerian workers have expressed optimism that, despite the many challenges Nigerians and its workforce are facing, all hope is not lost. Others are pessimistic about their future.

They stated this on Wednesday at Eagle Square, Abuja, where Nigerian workers converged in large numbers to join their counterparts across the world to mark the 2024 Workers’ Day.

The workers said they were optimistic that, with the way President Bola Tinubu’s government was going, there would be a brighter future for  Nigerian workers before the end of his administration.

They urged the government to prioritise workers’ welfare to cushion the effects of present economic realities. This would also positively affect other Nigerians.

Mercy Ephraim expressed gratitude to the current administration for the ongoing negotiation on minimum wage. She said she was hopeful that Nigerian workers would have a reason to smile at the end of it all.

“All hopes are not lost at all. I want to believe that we the Nigerian workers,  would be happy at last. Mr President knows quite well, what Nigerians are passing through and he will judge workers’ welfare based on the theme of this year,, ‘People First’,” she said.

Emmanuel Ekah, another civil servant, said he was happy with the labour unions and the workers’ patience with the government over the economic realities and their welfare.

He said labour had demonstrated a high sense of responsibility and patriotism by not organising strike actions to disrupt the country’s economy further when Nigeria faced many challenges.

However, Mr Ekah appealed to the federal government to continue investigating workers’ plight, as they were the backbone of the nation’s administration.

“If you should carefully observe, you will agree with me that money flows into the society through workers and this means that if it is well with the workers, there will be positive impacts on other citizens of the country,” he said.

Abubakar Sadiq urged the government to take workers’ welfare seriously, adding that it would also have positive impacts even after their retirement.

“While I am saying this is because I am retiring in September this year, and I am already expressing fears of what I will do to survive for the rest of my life.

“I am appealing that reasonable salaries should be given to workers right from the time they start work and this will give them hope to have enough resources even after their services to the country,” he said.

This year’s event was attended by Vice-President Kashim Shettima, who represented the President, the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkiruka Onyejeocha, labour leaders and members of various labour unions, among other personalities. 

(NAN)