By Cross Udo, Abuja
The Emir of Kano, His Royal Highness Muhammad Sanusi II, has lamented that the economy is biting harder by the day, and every sector in the country is being battered and declining.
The Emir also stated that the labour movement is facing changing and challenging times in Nigerian history and is in a state of decline, regretting that the movement, which once served as the primary voice representing the ordinary people, is no longer visible.
The first class monarch stated this in his remarks at the 51st regular National Executive Council (NEC) meeting/training and workshop organised by the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, SSANU at the Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology in Wudil, Kano State.
The Emir, who was represented by Danmalikin Kano, a labour and human rights activist, Dr Auwalu Mudi Yakasai, stated that the labour movement to fight for the rights of labour members in present-day Nigeria has become a challenging task.
He commended the Mohammed Haruna Ibrahim-led SSANU for holding regular NEC meetings to share ideas, reflect on their activities, and review their progress.
He also reminded labour leaders of the three C’s in the labour movement: collective bargaining principles, cooperation, contestation and confrontation, which he said were their weapons.
He said, “I know I am not here as a resource person, but I have just been given a few minutes to give a remark, just a remark, how I wish I could be given three hours to stay with you and discuss labour.
“We are all labour leaders. We are in the business of labour. What do we do in labour? What is our responsibility? We are in a changing and challenging time in Nigerian history. Not only labour but every other sector in Nigeria is shrinking and declining. Every other sphere of human endeavour in Nigeria is now being battered. It’s now catapulting down.
“The economy, social life generally, education, health, every other sector, including the labour movement. We are under a dwindling fortune. Those days are gone. We are now in a new era of challenges.
“Even to fight for the rights of our members is now becoming difficult. The economy is biting harder and harder by the day. Two or three days ago, the fuel price was increased by about 45 naira or thereabout, if I am right.
“In the past, when such things, such economic policies, are introduced by a government, the labour used to be the only vocal point representing the ordinary people of Nigeria. What is happening today?
“In those days, we were one, the labour, the student union movement, the market men and women, the Ulama, all other people, and the labour will remain the vanguard, the labour will spearhead the struggle for the emancipation of not only the working class but the downtrodden masses of this country.
“What is happening now? I would like this meeting to consider, discuss, examine, and review this situation.
“What is happening? We are no longer united. Yes, you are lucky. Some of you who are currently in the business are fortunate. I believe that most of you came by air to Kano because labour leaders are now rich men, and it’s good.”
Noting that the luxury of going by air was not there in the past for labour leaders, the royal father said, “We should take advantage of this development and try to ensure we improve the lot of our members. Now you have polished, educated, and most of the time, you will find that union leaders are now just in charge.”
While speaking on the principle of collective bargaining in labour struggles, he said: “There are three cardinal principles of collective bargaining. Let me remind you of the three Cs of labour. That’s cooperation, contestation and confrontation. It’s part of our arsenal; it’s one of the weapons we use to advance our course.
“You start with cooperation, relate well with the management, be simple, be modest, be friendly, be humble as a union leader. If that doesn’t work, you contest, saying no, ‘I can’t take this.’ If that doesn’t work well, you then go for the kill. If cooperation doesn’t work, consider a contest; if that doesn’t work, resort to confrontation.
“And through confrontation, we have so many weapons. The strike is one of them, and the number of strikes varies. There are quite different types of strikes,” he said.
The Emir’s representative, who said he cherished his Comrade title more than any other title or degree he has acquired, said, “I want to mention, even when we used to say in the business of aluta, gentlemen, but nowadays, the labour is filled up with gentlemen and distinguished ladies … but that comrade is what I cherish most.
“And as we all know, there are things you can buy, but to be a Comrade, you must earn it; you can’t buy honour. Fulfilling and discharging this fundamental obligation of every union.”
