By Saheed Ibrahim

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The Trade Union Congress (TUC) of Nigeria has berated the Federal Government over its failure to address the security challenges across the country.

The TUC President, Quadri Olaleye, while delivering a speech at the Triennial Delegates Conference of TUC, Ondo State yesterday, said Nigeria is at war, calling on the government at all levels, especially the FG, to rise up to the occasion to stop the killing of innocent Nigerians.

Olaleye, represented by Dan Ehiagwmei, commiserated with the government and good people of Ondo State on the unprovoked Owo terror attack, calling for adoption of new security strategies in the country.

We are living in a country where roads, water, air and rail transport systems are no longer safe to travel. Any government, who fails in its responsibility to secure lives and property of its citizens should resign and allow a competent hand to direct the affairs of the nation.

He called for the establishment of state and local governments security agencies, equipped, trained and well-armed to defend lives and property, adding that the National Assembly should immediately invoke the doctrine of necessity to alter the 1999 Constitution to facilitate this.

While congratulating the new leadership of Ondo TUC, he charged the union to always draw attention of the National Secretariat where internal social dialogue with the appropriate authorities fail to yield desirable results

The outgoing State TUC Chairman, Mrs. Helen Odofin said her three years leadership was able to facilitate positive relationship with both the government and the employees, despite the challenges posed by economic downturn in the country.

While appreciating the state government for addressing the promotions and entitlements of workers, she charged successive unions to ensure they continue to fight for workers’ rights without relenting.

In his acceptance speech, the new Ondo TUC Chairman, Clement Fatuase said the new leadership would request the benefits, “better policies and procedures in a stakeholder/partnership approach”.

He also appreciated Governor Akeredolu for instituting the Amotekun Corps to safeguard the lives and property of people in the Sunshine State.

In his charge, the state Commissioner for Energy, Mining and Mineral Resources, Razak Obe admonished the union leaders to work with vigour, determination, persuasion that no temptation can obliterate.

Also, the State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Juliana Osadahun charged the new excos to be responsive and responsible, irrespective of many negative indices in the country.

In his good will message, the State Acting Head of Service, Mr. Ogundele Kayode saluted the outgoing leadership for maintaining positive labour-government relationship