By Oluyinka Onigbinde
The President-General of the Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Comrade Francis Bunu Abi, and the Deputy President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade (Prince) Dr. Adewale Adeyanju, have separately felicitated with Muslims in Nigeria and across the world on the occasion of this year’s Eid Mubarak celebration, calling for peace, unity, tolerance, and renewed hope among Nigerians despite the prevailing economic hardship in the country.
In a Sallah message made available to journalists, Comrade Bunu praised Muslim faithful for their resilience, love, and tolerance towards one another despite the insecurity, violent crimes, and hardship confronting parts of the country.
The MWUN President-General noted that Nigerians, particularly Muslims, have continued to demonstrate strong faith in Almighty Allah even in difficult times, stressing that there is nothing impossible before God whose mercy and benevolence sustain mankind.
Bunu expressed concern over the plight of innocent and vulnerable Nigerians amid the harsh economic realities in the country and urged governments at all levels to intensify efforts towards improving the living standards of the people.
He, however, commended the Federal Government under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for its efforts at repositioning the country and tackling insecurity and inflation, while expressing hope that the spirit of Eid Mubarak would usher in peace, stability, and positive transformation across Nigeria.
The maritime labour leader also encouraged Nigerians to continue living peacefully with one another, irrespective of ethnic or religious differences, noting that love, unity, and tolerance remain critical to national development.
Similarly, the Deputy President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Adewale Adeyanju, called on Nigerians to remain hopeful and develop a positive mindset towards the country and its leadership, saying Nigeria is gradually overcoming its turbulent period occasioned by insecurity and poverty.
Adeyanju, who is also the former President-General of MWUN and current President of the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), stated that the nation is passing through a difficult but necessary stage of transformation that would eventually benefit all Nigerians.
According to him, Almighty Allah remains merciful and just, urging Nigerians not to lose hope despite the present challenges confronting the nation.
The labour leader further called on the Federal Government to urgently address the worsening insecurity and killings across the country, stressing that no nation can thrive in an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty.
He also commended the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, for what he described as his giant strides in the maritime sector, while applauding the leadership of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigerian Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), STOAN, and other stakeholders for their contributions to the growth of the industry.
Adeyanju expressed optimism that Nigerians would soon experience relief from the current hardship, insisting that no difficult situation lasts forever.
Both labour leaders appreciated Nigerians for their resilience, patience, and patriotism during the challenging period and prayed that the Eid Mubarak celebration would bring lasting peace, unity, wisdom, and prosperity to the country.
