The President of the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), Prince Adetokunbo Kayode, has commended the members of the chamber and indeed the entire Nigerian workforce for their roles in the economic development of the country.
He also acknowledged the specific sacrifices made by workers who are on the front line in the battle against containment of the dreaded Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) and called for appreciation for such gestures.
In a May Day 2020 message, Prince Kayode said the battle for the control of the disease demands that all hands must be on deck to salvage the situation, as well as account for the quick recovery of the Nigerian economy.
According to him, the occasion of the May Day celebration must be rededicated towards the tireless efforts, resilience, patience and commitment of the Nigerian workers in the overall task of nation building.
Prince Kayode therefore used the occasion to call on the government and indeed all employers of labour in the country to prioritise the welfare of workers, which he said will spur them to higher productivity.
He also said the various economic stabilisation policies by the government and the establishment of the Economic Sustainability Committee, which is headed by the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, are clear demonstrations of the importance the government attaches to the welfare of the workers.
“The 2020 Workers’ Day, also known as Labour Day, or May Day, is coming at a time when the world is battling to combat the deadly coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic that has kept economies across the world locked down. It is important to note that the COVID-19 pandemic has created unprecedented disruption in our normal lives, supply chain activities and general well-being. However, it has come along with a sustainable effect which seeks to reshape our work culture, ways of doing business, provision of services and new opportunities which workers and organisations must key into.
“As a Grade A Chamber of Commerce, we encourage our members, the business community and Nigerian workers to use the lockdown period to equip themselves with information and skills that will enable them to effectively and efficiently approach their work in a disrupted economic setting.
“We must, however, remain hopeful that, at the end of the day, all of us will be better than where we were when the pandemic struck the world. I therefore wish all workers a splendid May Day 2020 celebration,” Prince Kayode added.
To cushion the effect of the pandemic, he advised the government to put in place the necessary mechanisms and policies to enhance job creation, socio-economic development and employment generation.
He said the best way to go about it is to comprehensively support the development of the private sector and adopt a national jobs pact for the populace, as well as ensure the safety and health of workers.
