May Day: Ambode salutes heroes of Lagos success story

All over the world, the worker is recognized as the most important factor of production. As a government, we appreciate workers and make bold to declare that they are the makers of history.

It was a good day to start a new month and mark a special day, Workers’ Day, which is celebrated across the world to appreciate workers for their hard work in the development of society.

With a mild weather that was not too sunny or humid, workers trooped out in their hundreds for the May Day rally to Onikan Stadium, Lagos under the umbrella of dozens of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) affiliates.

The absence of the governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, though dampened the excitement of the celebration, didn’t deter the workers from marching round the stadium before Olabowale Ademola, the state Head of Service, who stood in for Ambode.

For the NLC state chairman, Idowu Adelakun, he felt “very bad” at the governor’s absence. “The relationship (between the governor and the workers) has been very cordial. As you are aware, the governor too had been a worker, he’s the former Accountant General of Lagos State. So we have been working together. He’s not a new man to us. For him not to come here today, he did that for the best reason known to him, which is not the best for him.”

The workers, however, admitted that Mr. Ambode had not defaulted in the payment of salaries as well as other workers’ entitlements.

The governor in his special message on Workers’ Day attributed the success story of the state to its dedicated workforce. According to him, every society must remember and appreciate its workers.

“All over the world, the worker is recognized as the most important factor of production. As a government, we appreciate workers and make bold to declare that they are the makers of history. Workers’ Day is about remembering and celebrating those who gave their time, best efforts and worked hard for the good of the society. They are the real heroes of the society. I salute workers in the state as we mark this year’s May Day celebration.”

In furtherance of his vow by his administration to transform Lagos into the tourism hub of the African continent, the government used the occasion of the Lagos international jazz festival, which coincided with the May Day to highlight jazz and its diplomatic role of uniting people across all corners of the globe.

The event, which was held at the Lagos House, Alausa, was graced by the national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, former governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke, Jermaine Jackson, elder brother of late king of pop Michael Jackson and co-lead singer of global music brand, Jackson 5, and members of the diplomatic community.