ILO nominates Nigeria for titular position

The International Labour Organisation (ILO), has nominated Nigeria for titular position on its governing board to represent West Africa.

Sen. Chris Ngige, Minister of Labour and Employment, announced this on Friday in Abuja, via a statement issued by Mrs Rhoda iliya, an Assistant Director, and made available to newsmen.

He said the nomination was made at the 3rd Session of the Specialised Technical Committee on Social Development, Labour and Employment of the Africa Union, which took place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

According to him, by this mandate, Nigeria which is currently holding a deputy position in the governing board of the ILO, will assume the titular- regular membership of the board in June 2020 when fresh elections will be held.

He, however, noted that other West African countries also nominated for deputy positions are Senegal and Niger Republic.

Ngige said moving Nigeria back to her rightful place in the comity of nations was a cardinal focus of the President Buhari administration.

He said no effort would be spared in international labour diplomacy to buoy the nation’s labour administration.

“Besides South Africa, Nigeria makes the highest yearly contribution to the ILO in Africa. It is in millions of dollars.
We cannot therefore as a nation be making such humongous contributions and be shut out at the highest decision making organ of the international labour body.

“This informed the dogged effort of Nigeria to fight her way back to the governing board last year when we were elected deputy after 10 years absence.

“Beyond national pride, the benefits are invaluable in terms of technical assistance, manpower development and skills training; all intangible values which would ordinarily cost the nation a lot, ”he said.

The minister also said that as ILO prepares for the centenary anniversary celebration, Nigeria was commended for its pioneering efforts as the first African nation to enlist and open the ILO office in the continent in 1959.

He noted that the commendation was contained in an address by the ILO Regional Director for Africa, Cynthia Samuel-Olonjuwon at the Specialised Technical Session.