Ayuba Wabba Continues Unopposed As NLC President

Mr Ayuba Wabba, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has promised to double his efforts in protecting the interest and rights of the Nigerian workers after he was returned as the NLC head unopposed following a unanimous decision by delegates.

In his acceptance speech read at the end of the 12th Delegates Conference of NLC on Wednesday in Abuja, Wabba, who would be in charge of the workers’ union between 2019 and 2023, said the labour leaders would continue to speak truth to power.

“The board will respect the will of members and consolidate on what we are doing.

“We will continue to conform to the tradition of the union and speak the truth to those in power. The daily challenges of workers at workplace will be confronted.

“We have been able to work assiduously in the past four years and we will move forward to build workers poser. I assure our members of our commitment and dedication to the resolutions of the conference,” he said.

Calling on the political class to imitate the rancour-free election of the NLC, Wabba said it was important to address the global imbalance where more people live below the poverty line in spite of the growing global wealth.

Among those returned are first deputy president, Amaechi Asuguni; second deputy president, Muhammed Idris; and third deputy president, Najim Yasim.

Others are National Treasurer, Ibrahim Khalil; First Vice president, Abdulrafiu Adeniji; Second Vice president, Peter Adeyemi; Third Vice president, Lawrence Amaechi; Fourth Vice president, Oyelekan Lateef, Fifth Vice president, Mercy Okezie and National Trustee, Adewale Adeyanju.

Also elected to the board are a financial secretary, Mustapha Adamu; first internal auditor, Simon Ankavar; second internal auditor, Benjamin Anthony; third internal auditor, Olatunji Babatunde; first ex-officio member, Funmilayo Issa; and second ex-officio member, Comfort Okoh.

Wabba recently played a crucial role in ensuring that government increased the national minimum wage from N18,000 to 27,000 (N30,000 for federal workers).

He earned praise across the board for standing up to the political class in protecting the welfare and rights of workers.