Labour Congress to inaugurate online television
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) says it will soon inaugurate its online television to enable Nigerian workers to tell their own stories. The NLC President, Mr Ayubba Waba, said this at the 40th Anniversary Celebration of the Labour Writers' Association of Nigeria (LAWAN) held in Lagos. The theme of the event was "Growing Insecurity and Unemployment: The Way Forward".
Waba said they have decided to launch the first online TV very soon and gadgets has been bought. Also, he was sure, some of workers would be the reporters, presenters and above all, they would be everything in what will be done. He said that shall be the beginning, because they also have to assert the authority: there must be space to say their own story and allow the workers also say their own story. Above all, Nigerians will say their own story outside what is being said by the conventional media.
He said that the theme for the event was apt and very close to the hearts of organised labour, noting that one of the challenges facing the country presently was the issue of youth unemployment. If they do not address it, then there will be no peace and insecurity will continue. Recently, they had a programme that is addressing the issue of precarious work and job, also making decent jobs available for our teeming youths.
The NLC boss continued that decent jobs are very important, because without it, there will be no humanity, social progress and justice; and shared prosperity for everybody. Waba, while congratulating the labour writers on their 40th anniversary, described the writers as having lots of courage, dexterity and passion in the way they carry out their jobs.
According to him, such features are the hallmark of modern journalism, saying it as it is and continue to speak to power. They would find fulfilment and passion as right is done. He emphasised that the job was done because the writers draw a lot of passion from reporting what also affects them work place and that is the beauty of it.
He said in doing the work, which is service to humanity, they have also assisted the congress greatly in making their voices to be heard and they cannot be taken for granted. In her remarks, the Chairman, LAWAN, Mrs Bimbola Oyesola, said that the choice of the theme was informed by the need to reflect on what could be done to put an end to the challenges highlighted.
Oyesola said that as media practitioners in the labour sector burden and disturbed by the growing number of youths who roam the streets daily without any means of livelihood. More worrisome is the spate of insecurity in our land and the fact that most susceptible number of perpetrators are likewise the youths. They hope through the contributions from all the leaders that gathered, they could use the recommendations which will be well publicised by the members as little contribution to chart the path for the transformation of our country.
