The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has said it will soon inaugurate its first of its kind online television in a bid for workers, Nigerians to be able to tell their own stories.
The NLC President, Mr Ayubba Waba, made the disclosure at the 40th Anniversary Celebration of the Labour Writers’ Association of Nigeria (LAWAN) held on Thursday night in Lagos.
The theme of the event was entitled, “Growing Insecurity and Unemployment: The Way Forward”.
“We have decided we are going to launch the first online TV very soon; we have already bought the gadgets.
“Also, I am sure, some of you will be the reporters, presenters and above all, you will be everything in what we are going to do.
“This is just the beginning, because we also have to assert our authority: we must be able to have space to say our own story and let the workers also say their own story.
“Above all, let Nigerians say their own story outside what is being said by the conventional media, ” he said.
He said that the theme for the event was apt and very close to the hearts of organised labour, noting that one of the challenges facing the country presently was the issue of youth unemployment.
“If we do not address it, then there is no way we can have peace and insecurity will continue.
“Recently, we had a programme that is, addressing the issue of precarious work and job, also making jobs available for our teeming youths and we say decent jobs.
“Decent jobs are very important, because without it, there will be no humanity, social progress and justice; and shared prosperity for everybody, ” the NLC boss said.
Waba, while congratulating the labour writers on their 40th anniversary, described the writers as having lots of courage, dexterity and passion in the way they carry out their jobs.
According to him, such features are the hallmark of modern journalism, saying it as it is and continue to speak to power.
“When you do the right thing, you will find fulfilment and passion.
“Most of you do this job, because of the fact that you draw a lot of passion from reporting what also affects you and at your work place and I think that is the beauty of it.
“In doing your work, which is service to humanity, you have also assisted the congress greatly in making the our voices to be heard and that cannot be taken for granted, ” he said.
In her remarks, the Chairman, LAWAN, Mrs Bimbola Oyesola said that the choice of the theme was informed by the need to reflect on what could be done to put an end to the challenges highlighted.
“As media practitioners in the Labour sector, we are burden and disturbed by the growing number of our youths who roamed the streets daily without any means of livelihood.
“More worrisome is the spate of insecurity in our land and the fact that most susceptible number of perpetrators are likewise the youth.
“We hope through the contributions from all our leaders gathered here tonight, we can use the recommendations which will be well publicised by our members as our little contribution to chart the path for the transformation of our country, ” Oyesola said.
