President Bola Tinubu on Thursday took a swipe at labour unions in the country, calling on them to maintain peace.
The President took a shot at the unions in Lagos on Thursday during the inauguration of the stateโs Red Line Rail service, two days after the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) held a nationwide protest over the economic hardship in the country.
Addressing those in attendance at the inauguration, President Tinubu asked for permission to throw a jab before sending a message to the Organised Labour, with main members being the NUC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).
โThe Labour Union should understand that no matter how long we cling to our freedom and rights, the first strike within nine months of an administration is unacceptable.
โIf you want to participate in the electoral process, wait until 2027. If not maintain peace. You are not the only voice of Nigerians.โ
Away from the Organised Labour, the President hailed the Lagos Red Line Rail as evident that despite bureaucracy and agency guided by the right leadership and with a focus to work for the people will make a difference.
โI am pleased to declare to you that the momentum of greatness that we kick-started a quarter of a century ago has since become an unstoppable goal,โ he said of the process that led to the completion of the 37-kilometres intra-state rail service, adding that it was aimed at improving transportation within the city.โจโIt is not a crime to dream and dream big; just stay focused and stay on course.โ
โProgress We Must Achieveโ
The President also used the occasion to address Nigerians, pledging that things will get better.
He said, โI speak to Nigerians through this podium that change is possible, and change we must achieve. Progress we must achieve. It is not about a single individual. It is about the highest growing population in the world.โ
For the President, the growing population also means the country cannot afford to relax as it must plan for the future.
โWe must be committed to great value,โ he said, โAnd this economy, we will grow it, we will feed ourselves out of the penury and we will be happy that we did it.
He also pledged that his administration would tackle corruption in the country, regardless of the fightback from beneficiaries.
โI agree (that) smugglers will fight back, corruption will fight back. We will fight them to ruins. Corruption will go away, (we will) save the money for you to educate our children, to pay for the healthcare system of our people, to pay for the modern transportation system that works for highest number of people, not those few smugglers.โ
