THE NATIONAL Union of Food, Beverage and Tobacco Employees (NUFBTE) has expressed joy that following its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held in Kano on Thursday, April 25, 2024, its members have been liberated from the grip of deceit, falsehood and stagnation of the past years.
In his 2024 May Day Message to the union, Comrade Garba Ibrahim, National President of NUFBTE, urged members of the union to “make this year’s May Day a celebration of freedom, excellence, participatory Unionism and restoration of the ethics, values, dignity, mutual respect and genuine comradeship that our Union is known for.”
Although Comrade Ibrahim did not mention the personality from whose stranglehold NUFBTE has been liberated, it is generally believed within labour circles, particularly in the Food Union, that he was referring to his immediate predecessor, Comrade Lateef Idowu Oyelekan.
Comrade Ibrahim said in their celebration, members of the union “will never lose focus on where we are from and where we are going.
He added that they will be “conscious of the fact that there is work to be done and we have a responsibility and obligation to our workers to see that our working conditions [are] of the best acceptable standard in our respective companies.”
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The full message reads:
“Arising from our successful National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held in Kano, Kano State and with the liberation of workers from the stranglehold of deceit, falsehood and stagnation of the past years. The National Administrative Committee (NAC) and the National Executive Council (NEC) of our Union wish to celebrate all our members on this May Day.
“Let us in the Food Union make this year’s May Day, a celebration of freedom, excellence, participatory Unionism and restoration of the ethics, values, dignity, mutual respect and genuine comradeship that our Union is known for.
“In our celebration, we will never lose focus on where we are from and where we are going. We are conscious of the fact that, there is work to be done and we have a responsibility and obligation to our workers to see that our working conditions is [sic] of the best acceptable standard in our respective companies.
“The ever-increasing price of food items, the skyrocketing exchange rate fluctuations and the astronomical rise in electricity tariffs has drastically affected our employers and most painfully our members.
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“Every company in Food Sector Industry is negatively affected, the worst challenge is the closure of most of our distillery companies by NAFDAC, however, we once again reassure you that we will not relent until the companies comes back alive.
“However, we are certain that we shall overcome. We have implicit confidence in the leadership of our great Union ably led by my humble self, the General Secretary, Comrade Mike Olanrewaju and ever supportive NAC members. We know too well that Nigerian workers will smile after the conclusion of the New National Minimum wage negotiations.
“While expressing our unalloyed support to Comrade Joe Ajaero’s leadership of NLC, we remain steadfast and committed to the actualization of fair wage, acceptable Labour policies and decent work conditions for our ever-hard-working members.
“Happy May Day celebration to all our teaming members and Nigerian workers.
“Long live National Union of Food, Beverage and Tobacco Employees!
“Long Live Nigeria Labour Congress!!
“Long Live Federal Republic of Nigeria!!!
“Comrade Garba Ibrahim
“National President”
