President of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has wished Nigerian workers a blissful Workers Day Celebration.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Oritsejafor said his message on the occasion is of hope, unity, understanding and support for Nigeria.
“On behalf of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and my family, I wish congratulate the millions of Nigerian workers on the occasion of the 2014 Workers Day Celebration,” Oritsejafor said.
“The situation in the country today may not be one that brings much joy to the mind of the Nigerian worker but I urge all workers not to despair but to have faith in their beloved country and continue to work hard for peace, unity and development.”
He said that though the country is confronted with myriad of problems ranging from social, economic, religious and political issues that require the commitment, the challenges are still surmountable.
“We may face difficulties today but I can assure you that God is on the throne,” he said.
“In times like we are in today, Christians, Muslims and others must not relent to pray to God for his intervention in our country and also to thank him for his blessings in our country. This is what our nation requires at this moment.
“I appeal to our teeming workers from Sokoto to Lagos, Kano to Calabar, Jos to Enugu and particularly those in the FCT, to put behind the recent bomb explosion in Nyanya that claimed the lives of some Nigerian workers.”
He assured that CAN will continue to identify with the Nigerian worker regardless of his or her social, religious or political status and will continue to support them through their unions and associations. The clergyman said the promised support was what prompted the recent donation of N500, 000 to the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), for its members recuperating from the Nyanya bomb explosion.
“We will continue to appeal to government, especially the security agencies to work together and share intelligence,” he advised.
Following in the clergy man’s style, former Vice President and chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC) Atiku Abubakar extolled the patriotism, unbroken faith in Nigeria and sacrifices of the Nigerian workers in the face of tough times.
In a statement released by his media office in Abuja on the eve of Workers’ Day, the former Vice President said workers are the greatest assets of every nation because; the human capital is the pivot around which development revolves.
Atiku Abubakar extolled the sacrifices, perseverance and the indomitable spirit of the Nigerian workers in the face of grim and tough challenges of economic survival.
He explained that the weakening purchasing power of the workers might naturally affect morale, but urged the workers to soldier on and to never lose hope.
He advised political office holders to recognise the country’s economic realities before paying themselves salaries and allowances. He also advised governments at all levels to pursue job creation with greater vigour, adding that unemployment is a menace for any society because it breeds unpleasant consequences.
