Labour Veterans Rejoice with Olubadan

A newly formed body of former labour leaders under the auspices of Oyo State Labour Veterans Association on Tuesday charged the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Sen. Lekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade II to maintain his activism of old that made him a friend of the downtrodden on the new throne.

The association made this charge through its President, Comrade Ibrahim Bolomope during the homage paid to the monarch at his Alarere residence by its executive committee.

Comrade Bolomope, who recalled that he was the Oyo State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, when Olubadan was a Senator of the Federal Republic between 1999 and 2003 said the monarch invited him to his Abuja residence in his capacity as a labour leader, an experience he said he still savours till date.

“The irony of it is that no Senator from Oyo State has extended such gesture to any of the labour leaders in the state since that time. Kabiyesi, we are not surprised by your disposition because of your background and it is that gesture that has made you to be loved by the masses.

“As your children with the same ideology, we are happy with Your Majesty’s emergence, having been following the trajectory of your rise and your undoubting spirit that has preserved you for this throne and it is our wish that Kabiyesi remains a committed unionist even on the throne towards ensuring the preservation of the rights of the common people”, Bolomope stated.

While reacting, Olubadan commended the association for its resolve not to abandon the struggle despite the fact that the members had all retired from active service, noting that their wealth of experience in labour matters would be handy for both government and their successors.

Promising to remain himself as a friend of the downtrodden, Oba Balogun urged the association to see itself as a reliable partner of the palace by coming closer with good suggestions and advices that would lessen his burden reiterating that he would operate an open-door policy.

The monarch was later presented with the copy of the Constitution of the association by the President, Comrade Bolomope, who also said all the members would come back at a latter date to investiture Kabiyesi as their Patron.

Ridwan Fasasi