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Labour Minister Emeka Wogu says the Federal Government has provided the enabling environment for labour movement to play its role as a critical partner in national development.
Wogu said this in Nsukka on Friday while delivering a lecture titled: ``Labour and National Development”, during the 11th Eni-Njoku memorial lecture at the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN).
He said that the Federal Government would continue to partner with stakeholders such as labour in order to increase productivity and advance the cause of national development.
``I should add that the critical aspect of the transformation agenda of the current administration rest on effective utilisation of the principles of consultation and involvement.
``I have implicit confidence in the ability of the Nigerian labour movement to surmount challenges associated with this development.
According to him, workers education forms a critical way to ensure that labour movement is effectively positioned to play the role envisaged for it.
He added that government would continue to obey the rule of law in labour matters and advised labour to reciprocate.
Wogu said that labour movement played vital role in national unity, stressing that it fought hard to end military rule in the country.
``Labour was among popular forces that fought to put an end to military rule. Labour has substantially contributed to the development of Nigeria.
``There are many, who look up to labour, as the conscience of the society,” he said.
Wogu extolled the contributions of late Eni-Njoku, adding that he left enviable legacy on the sands of time.
``The erudite Eni-Njoku is a good role model to the academic community and the society in general. ’’
In his remark, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Bartho Okolo, said the lecture series was to honour the late Eni-Njoku, who was the first indigenous vice chancellor of UNN, for his great achievements.
``Late Eni-Njoku left a befitting legacy in the university, that is why the university has instituted this memorial lecture in his honour,’’ Okolo, represent by Prof. Isaac Asuzu, he said.
Earlier, Mrs Theresa Akamigbo, the niece of late Eni-Njoku, who spoke on behalf of the family, expressed appreciation to the university, for recognising the contributions of her uncle to the university.
Highlight of the ceremony was a minute silence observed for late Prof Celestine Onwulairie, former FUTO Vice-Chancellor, who delivered the 10th Eni-Njoku memorial lecture, who was among those that died in Dana air plane crash.
