By: Ade Adeleke
..…. Comrade Oluwole Adeleye Sunday is the Ondo state Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and Deputy President of the Nigeria Civil Service Union, NCSU in this interview speaks with SUNSHINETRUTH NEWS MAGAZINE EXCLUSIVELY on his vision to lead NCSU as the National President, and how organised labour is defending the interest of workers in Ondo state amidst payment percentage salaries.
Oluwole has been in the office as the NCL Chairman for over two and half years, what has been his impacts. He opined, “the last two years has been challenging in agitating for good welfare for workers. For example, in the last two years if we remember then the government was owing the workers seven months salary arrears during the period, the present administration was able to pay five out of seven under our watch and also you will recollect too that during this period the Minimum Wage Act was enacted and the government of ondo state and labour put measures in the motion where at the end of the day the N30,000 minimum wage was agreed on for implementation since January 1st, 2020. Since then it has not been easy for workers and government in paying salaries as a result of COVID-19 pandemic, lockdown that crippled the world and our country’s economies.”
“In the area of promotion, promotion of workers has been fantastic in Ondo state, as am talking to you, even the 2021 promotion has been done accordingly. But since the implementation of N30,000 minimum wage the salaries of the workers both at the local and the state have increased tremendously.
How does the state get to this unfortunate situation of percentage salary payment? Comrade Oluwole said “I want to say the question is what cause reduction revenues, I want to blame the government of Ondo State both the previous and the current, remember the former administration (Mimiko’s administration) took us to a Stock Exchange Market, they borrowed 27.5 billion naira as I am talking, the state government is still paying that bond and this government (Akeredolu’s administration) came again they went for 30 billion naira bond. So, these debts are being deducted from the source (from the state monthly allocation from the federation account) and it has made full salary payment difficult.”
In the area of COVID-19 effects, Comrade Oluwole lamented financial and health effects of the pandemic. “Well, there is no way they can cope, our priority should be how to take care of our children because I told my friend last week that the effects of COVID-19 were in 2021 and this year too, if it continues like this. Look at the National budget this year, 50 percent will be financed by borrowing; look at the state own, last year’s budget all were from borrowing, this must be paid back and not easy to pay back. In the process of paying back, they can’t meet statutory obligations such as salaries; all these affect our members (workers). It is easy to borrow, but to pay back it will become problem.
The new NCSU National President offered advice to government and workers; “Government should give ongoing projects attention rather than starting new ones. My advice for this government is to involve all the stakeholders, religious bodies, civil society organizations, Labour and run a very compact government. Then to workers of ondo state, let us cut our coat according to the size of the cloth, not according to our size because we must be careful, be prudent and diligent in our duty posts.”
On why he aspired to be the National President of NCSU? Oluwole said told SUNSHINETRUTH that “Thank you very much, the reason why I am aspiring to lead my union is very simple I believe I am one of the most qualified in terms of experience not by age. Why do I say that, I started from the grassroot, I was a branch officer at my Unit then in (Ondo state) Ministry of Health, from there I became the Assistant Secretary of the (Ondo) State, I rose to become the Ondo State Chairman of NCSU for two terms under which I became the Joint Negotiating Council (JNC) Chairman for two terms. Again I became the Deputy President of my Union, again I am currently the State chairman of NLC in Ondo State. I believe with all these experiences I believe I should be able to replicate it and appreciate my union.
To the glory of God as at now, I am returning unopposed (as the National President of NCSU) that is to tell you I am well-love, well-received and well accepted across the 36 states and the FCT, if I can be given an opportunity to become President unopposed, it means a lot to me.
Comrade Adeleye Oluwole also spoke on his vision for NCSU thus, “my vision, for them (members) to have given me that opportunity, they must have reposed a lot of confidence in me and it is very necessary to give back to them by delivering quality services.
“As at now my union has some challenges, don’t forget Nigeria Civil Service Union is the first Union in Nigeria, it gave birth to other Unions, the question is, are we in our right place among affiliate Unions of the NLC.
“At least NLC has over 42 affiliates if you are to rate it, can Nigeria Civil Service Union be in the first 10, even if it can’t be the first, we should be able to show to the whole world that we are the father of all, so my number one vision is to take back the union back to its old glory among the affiliate unions of NLC.
“Number two is to reconcile all aggrieved factions. It is like one family, members that go to court are still members of the Union. So what stops us from settling out of court and continue the way we have been doing before.
“My Number 3 vision, most of our members have gone to other unions but we are ready to go for them so that they can come to the fold of NCSU.
“Also to the staff, I will ensure most of our staff are well paid, it is not a thing of pride or joy, we that are fighting for minimum and living wage, we must practice what we preach.
“Lastly, I want to leave the union better than I met it. In terms of infrastructure and development, but let me tell you today, Unions are already diversifying, go to Medical and Health Union, they have properties worth billions of naira. What stops us (NCSU) from from having properties so that we can be self sustaining.
“There is a need for diversification, so the union fund has to be invested so that the unborn generation can benefit. For example I use to tell people that I see Comrade Ayuba Wabba (former Medical and Health Workers’ Union National President and current NLC President) as a mentor, when Ayuba became the President of that union, he met a liability of N200million naira, but by the time he was leaving the union as the National President, in terms of cash and properties, he left over 7billion within 8years. What stops me from setting similar target and pursue it. Today, he is the President of NLC so somebody like me would want to learn under him how he did it. So I believe if Ayuba Wabba could do it, I will be able to do it If I have the good support and the right atmosphere to operate,” Oluwole said.
