Censorship and freedom of speech: The Nigerian labour conundrum
On
By Clarius Ugwuoha
It was the late Ugandan despot, Idi Amin, who was credited with the immortal but infamous dictum: “You have freedom of speech. But freedom thereafter, that I cannot guarantee.” This appears to be the guiding principle in Nigeria and most other African countries.
The history of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, as a trade union with capability to sway labour laws in the country and advance the interest of workers, has been heavily vitiated by graft, intimidation and compromise. The current Nigeria Labour leader, Mr. Ayuba Philibus Waba, is certainly in a dilemma due to the peculiar operating terrain. The contemporary Nigerian reality is worse than military dictatorship and the autocratic reflex is evident in every tier of government-citizen engagement.
The organised labour in the country has felicitated with the pioneer president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and former General Secretary of the Organisation of African Trade Union Unity (OATUU), Hassan Sunmonu, and his twin brother, Hussein, on their 80th birthday.
It also rejoiced with the labour leader’s wife, Wasilat, who turned 76.
NLC National President, Ayuba Wabba, stated yesterday that the celebration was multiple for the Sunmonus. He noted that the labour leader, who hails from Osogbo in Osun State, grew up to embrace activism, adding that as a student of Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), Sunmonu was elected the President of the Students Union Government (SUG) and executive member of the National Union of Nigerian Students (NUNS).