Independence an opportunity for sober reflection, says TUC

The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has said Nigeria’s 57th independence anniversary should be an opportunity for its leaders to reflect on the polity, economy and society at large.

It stated that there was nothing to celebrate as all was still not well with the country and its polity.The congress in a statement signed by its President, Comrade Bobboi Bala Kaigama, to mark the country’s 57th independence anniversary said there was an urgent need for everyone to look at the realities in the country dispassionately and work harder to achieve a better Nigeria, especially for the younger generation.

He stressed that this was especially so, as life has become unbearable for the common man and continues to get worse by the day.He lampooned the lavish spending of some politicians who travel overseas without striving to replicate the amenities they enjoy abroad in the country.

He added that key functionaries and institutions must be made to work sincerely and harder as it is done elsewhere.“It is laughable that our leaders travel abroad and but do not replicate what they see and enjoy over there. Why will the country not be hit by recession when politicians spend 80 per cent of their jumbo pay in buying properties in Dubai, United Kingdom, United States and South Africa, among others.

“How can the education sector run a full session without strikes when the children of politicians school abroad? The deplorable state of our roads is not a priority because they fly? He queried.

He said: “When the system favours them they make no comments, but when it is otherwise they import arms and assemble youths to distabilise the system. The crises and agitations we see everywhere today are outcome of disenchantment.

“Our key functionaries and institutions must be made to work as it is done elsewhere. Insecticides and deodorants have their roles. You cannot achieve results when you misapply the two liquids.”