SOLIDARITY CENTER PARTNERS TUC ON LEADERSHIP TRAINING
Towards growing the tenants of effective trade unionism through organising, The Solidarity Center in Nigeria has partnered with the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) to organize a three day Leadership and Organising Academy for members of the TUC and its affiliates drawn from all the country. The exercise was held at Dover Hotel, Ikeja from 1st to 3rd of February 2023.
In his Welcome Address Sonny Ogbuehi who is the Country Program Director, West Africa region gave an historical background of Solidarity Center and the various growth and achievements attained within the past 20years of its existence that is anchored on training and re-training of Nigerian workers among the two labour federations.
Speaking during his opening speech, Comrade Festus Osifo, National President Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) who declared the training opened thanked all those present, that is, the participants from different affiliates of Trade Unions Congress, TUC NAC members and the organizers.
Comrade Osifo said he was flabbergasted at the positive turnout of female unionist while admonishing everyone to be attentive and interactive in order to achieve the aim of the training which is tailored towards harnessing good leadership qualities and organizational skills. He further commended the organizers, The Solidarity Center (TSC) for partnering with TUC and for providing complete funding for the program.
Comrade Owei Lakemfa in his lead paper x-rayed the essence of trade unionism, the essence of organizing and challenges of modern union organization. He summarized by saying;
1. “Every leader and member of a trade union is consciously or unconsciously, an organizer.
2. The life line of trade unionism is organizing; it is like blood to the human body. If a human is short of blood then it is sick. A union bereft of organizing is a sick union and if not attended to, will die. Because organizing is like blood to the human body, it has to constantly flow. You have to organize the unorganized and un-organize the organized.” What he meant was that organizing is like an ever flowing stream.
Comrade Ralph Gabim in his introduction buttress what the first resource person said by adding the four (4) various industrial resolutions that is; the Coal Phase, Gas Phase, Nuclear Phase and the Digital Phase. In his paper he itemized different workforce that makes up a global workforce (Formal, Informal and Unionized workforce).
The Secretary General of TUC Nuhu Toro, in his paper titled ‘Building Worker Power, Strategic Organising” exposed participants on how to build modern trade union, factors affecting union leverage , future organizing strategies and sources of union power.
Janet Anaele in her paper explained the differences between GENDER/SEX, gender as being Determined by social factors—history, culture, tradition, norms, religion, age and class, while sex as being determined by biology. She defined gender mainstream as the process of assessing the implications for women and men of any planned action, including legislation, policies or programmes, in any area and at all levels.
Furthermore, she expounded the approaches to promoting gender equality, strategies and tools for gender mainstreaming, the role of union in promoting gender equality and International policies as enshrined in ILO convention 190 which vehemently prohibit gender-based violence and harassment.
Bashman Mohammed In this paper, identified reasons why unions must carry out extensive strategy research as a tool in organising members. He listed the following as reasons why research is essential for an effective membership drive as well as make informed decisions; To target and analyse companies for organising,To provide information for collective bargaining .To better understand industry trends and macroeconomic impacts.
Unions he also disclosed use strategic research to change the employer’s behaviour viz-a-viz, To find leverage (pressure) on an employer, To push back on union busting, To level the playing field for workers, neutralize employer advantages.
TUC national officers present at the event are; Comrade Tommy Etim Okon, National President Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) 1st Deputy President, Comrade Alakija Kayode- National President Senior Staff Association of statutory Corporations and Government owned Companies (SSASCGOC),2nd Deputy President, Comrade Omaji Samuel – President Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools (ASUSS)/ National Auditor III. Comrade Iyeh William Adegbe, President Hotel and Personal Services Senior Staff Association (HPSSA), Trustee. Comrade Alamutu Babatunde Abayomi – President Textile Garment and Tailoring Senior staff (TGTSS)/ PRO
Comrade Nuhu Toro – General Secretary. Comrade Joshua Apebo, Secretary General ASCSN, Comrade Hafsat Shaibu – National Chairperson, TUC Women Commission.
