Kwara Speaker meets labor leaders, #EndSARS protesters, harps on dialogue

Rt. Hon. Yakubu Danladi Salihu addressing #EndSARS protesters at the KWHA today

...as Labour hails 9th Assembly's friendly posture 

October 13th, 2020

Speaker, Kwara State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Danladi Salihu, principal officers and members of the House today met with striking labor leaders in the State behind Closed doors.

Danladi-Salihu who appealed to the organized labor to halt the strike action embarked upon today, reiterated the commitment of the 9th Kwara legislature to welfare of the State's workforce and particularly, implementation of the minimum wage. 

"This government have so far been highly sensitive to the plights of the State's workforce, the prompt payment of full monthly salaries of workers suffice to our respect and concern for the welfare of labour and we shall continue to uphold it", Danladi-Salihu said. 

He added that "Schools are just resuming after months of closure as a result of COVID-19 pandemic and it will not be fair locking the children out again on the account of this strike action. I therefore urge you to halt the strike action, while we explore dialogue to resolve the issues". 

While assuring the organized labour that Governor AbdulRazaq meant well for all Kwarans, the lawmaker cautioned organized labour in the State to not allow hijack of their actions for political reasons. 

The Deputy Speaker, Hon. Adetiba Raphael Olarewaju in his submission implored the labour leaders to embrace amicable resolution of the minimum wage issues, noting that the door of the 9th Assembly is always open to protesters and suggestions of the labour and indeed all residents and Kwarans alike for proactive resolutions to avoid this kind of fallout. 

Rt. Hon. Yakubu Danladi Salihu and other members of KWHA in a group picture with Labour leaders.

The Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Labour Congress in Kwara state, Comrade Murtala Saheed in his reaction said the lawmaker's message would be delivered to the Congress. 

Muritala while appreciating the lawmakers for their concerns and audience, noting that the Assembly's prompt intervention and interest in arbitrating over minimum wage issues in the State reflects the 9th Assembly's friendly labour posture.

Members of the Kwara State House of Assembly present includes Deputy House Leader - Hon. John Bello, Hon. Razaq Owolabi, Hon. Ganiyu Folabi Salahudeen, Hon. Ali Amuda Jimoh, Hon. Abdullahi Danbaba, Hon. Gbenga Yusuf and Hon. Adam Rufai. 

While the NLC delegation are Comrade Mrs Apalando - State Women Coordinator of NLC, Comrade Rafiu Adeniran - Treasurer and State Chairman of Nigeria Agro allied employees - Dr. D. K Ehindero. 

In a related development, Speaker Yakubu Danladi Salihu today met with #EndSARS protesters who took their protest to the Kwaara state House of Assembly complex. 

While addressing the protesters, Danlladi-Salihu assured that as a young person, he aligns with the position of the youths against police brutality, noting that the Federal Government have displayed sensitivity to the people's plight by reacting swiftly to their protest against the disbanded SARS and a promise to reform the Nigerian Police.