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Comrade Joe Ajaero, the dynamic and resilient leader of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), stands at the forefront of the fight for justice, equity, and the betterment of Nigerian workers. His ascension as a key figure in Nigeria’s labor movement brings hope to millions who have been marginalized and oppressed by decades of economic mismanagement, inflation, and unemployment. However, even the most well-meaning leaders are not immune to external distractions and the seductive pull of international recognition.
It is critical for Ajaero to stay focused on his core mission: advocating for Nigerian workers and fostering long-lasting institutional reform. The Western world, particularly Britain, has nothing substantive to offer Nigeria and Africa at large. Their repeated invitations and engagements, more often than not, are cloaked in hypocritical diplomacy that serves their economic and political interests rather than benefiting Nigeria. Ajaero must recognize that the Western model of engagement, especially when it involves Nigeria, is steeped in a history of exploitation and neocolonialism. The time has come for Nigerian leaders, particularly in the labor sector, to reject unnecessary foreign invitations and focus on building robust domestic institutions that can stand the test of time.
The Hypocrisy of the Western World: Britain’s Influence and Its Economic Agenda
Britain’s historical and ongoing relationship with Nigeria has been fraught with contradictions. While the United Kingdom often touts its role as a development partner and advocate for democracy, their actions consistently reflect self-serving interests. The legacy of British colonialism left deep economic scars on Nigeria, and the neocolonial structures they helped establish continue to benefit them more than Nigeria. For instance, in 2020, trade between the UK and Africa was valued at over $46 billion, but much of this trade is skewed in favor of British firms profiting off African resources and cheap labor.
The UK’s vested interest in maintaining the status quo in African economies is well-documented. They maintain influence through institutions like the Commonwealth, using this platform to promote economic policies that serve their interests. Britain’s persistent interference in Nigerian affairs, whether through diplomatic overtures or economic policies, is not a gesture of goodwill. It is essential that Joe Ajaero recognizes this hypocrisy. Attending every conference and meeting in the West under the guise of gaining “international exposure” is, in reality, a waste of time that distracts from the urgent needs of Nigerian workers at home.
Building a Legacy at Home: The Importance of Institutional Reform
Comrade Joe Ajaero has the potential to leave behind a transformative legacy in Nigeria’s labor history, but this can only be achieved through a steadfast focus on domestic issues and the construction of formidable institutions that will outlast his tenure. The NLC is already a respected entity, but its full potential has not been realized. By avoiding the distractions of unnecessary foreign engagements, Ajaero can channel his time, resources, and energy into reforms that will not only benefit Nigerian workers today but will also strengthen the labor movement for future generations.
Ajaero must build the NLC into a more formidable force, one that has the organizational strength to hold both public and private employers accountable. This requires a focus on transparency, accountability, and the development of a leadership structure that prioritizes the rights and welfare of Nigerian workers. According to the International Labor Organization (ILO), Nigeria has one of the highest rates of underemployment in sub-Saharan Africa, with over 16 million Nigerians either underemployed or working in precarious, low-wage jobs. These figures emphasize the need for a powerful, united labor movement that can advocate for higher wages, improved working conditions, and job security.
Ajaero’s leadership must be focused on rectifying these systemic issues, ensuring that Nigerian workers have access to decent jobs and a fair standard of living. He must work towards building labor institutions that are rooted in social justice, worker empowerment, and a long-term vision for labor equity in Nigeria.
Read also: Ajaero: Strike, Protests Loom As NLC Initiates Red Alert
Shunning Foreign Invitations and the ILO’s Capitalist Agenda
While international bodies like the International Labour Organization (ILO) often claim to be champions of workers’ rights, their underlying agenda remains driven by capitalist interests. The ILO’s history is filled with contradictions; while it purports to promote labor standards, it often aligns itself with corporate interests and neoliberal policies that serve the interests of the elite rather than workers.
Ajaero must be cautious about aligning too closely with such organizations. The ILO’s policies often push for “labor market flexibility,” which is a euphemism for reducing workers’ rights and benefits under the guise of promoting competitiveness. Nigerian workers do not need more “flexibility”; they need protections, living wages, and the assurance that their jobs are secure. Ajaero should prioritize the real needs of Nigerian workers over the rhetoric coming from these international institutions, which often have little relevance to the daily struggles of workers in developing countries.
Ajaero must also reconsider his frequent travels to attend international conferences and summits. With the availability of digital tools such as Zoom and Google Meet, there is no need for him to spend valuable time and resources on foreign trips when he can engage in these discussions from Nigeria. By reducing travel costs and focusing on internal reforms, the NLC can use those resources to enhance workers’ welfare programs, advocate for labor rights more effectively, and establish stronger legal frameworks to protect workers from exploitation.
Answering the DSS: Courage and Integrity as Key Assets
Another critical aspect of Ajaero’s leadership is his relationship with the Nigerian state, particularly institutions like the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigerian police. These agencies have often been used as instruments of intimidation against activists and leaders who challenge the status quo. Ajaero must recognize that he will likely face continued scrutiny from these institutions, not because of any wrongdoing, but because his advocacy for workers’ rights threatens powerful interests.
However, Ajaero should not allow this to deter him. He must continue to summon the courage to engage with these agencies whenever required. His transparency and integrity are his greatest weapons against any attempt at victimization. Nigerians know that Joe Ajaero has no skeletons in his cupboard, and any attempts to discredit him will only strengthen public support for his leadership. By answering these institutions with composure and openness, Ajaero can further cement his position as a leader of integrity who is committed to transparency.
Refusing to engage with the DSS or other state institutions may feed into narratives of guilt or suspicion, which could be weaponized against him. Ajaero must face these institutions head-on, confident that the Nigerian people stand behind him, knowing that his hands are clean, and his cause is just.
Building a Lasting Legacy Through Integrity and Courage
Comrade Joe Ajaero’s ultimate success as a leader will not be measured by the number of foreign trips he makes or the international accolades he receives. It will be measured by his impact on Nigerian workers and the strength of the institutions he builds. The legacy of a great leader is not in their personal achievements but in the systems, they leave behind for future generations.
Ajaero must focus on building a labor movement that will continue to fight for workers’ rights long after he has stepped down. This means investing in education and training for union leaders, fostering a culture of transparency within the NLC, and ensuring that the organization remains accountable to its members. It also means resisting the temptation to align with international bodies that do not have Nigerian workers’ best interests at heart.
In a world where the Western powers, particularly Britain, have shown time and time again that they are more interested in their own profits than in the well-being of African nations, Ajaero must turn his attention inward. By rejecting unnecessary foreign engagements and focusing on domestic reforms, he can build a legacy that will endure.
Conclusion: A Call to Action for Ajaero
Joe Ajaero has the potential to be remembered as one of the greatest labor leaders in Nigerian history, but this will only happen if he remains focused on the right priorities. The path to lasting change lies in the strength of the institutions he builds, the integrity he maintains, and the courage he demonstrates in the face of external pressures.
By avoiding sycophants, shunning unnecessary international engagements, and building a formidable team around him that will tell him the hard truths, Ajaero can lead the NLC to new heights. The Western world, particularly Britain, has nothing to offer Nigeria in terms of solutions, and their influence should be viewed with skepticism. Instead of looking outward, Ajaero must focus on the real needs of Nigerian workers, reforming the NLC to be a powerful force for justice and fairness.
This is Ajaero’s moment to build a legacy rooted in integrity, courage, and unwavering commitment to the Nigerian people. The future of Nigeria’s labor movement depends on it.
