By Demola Akinyemi
Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the Micheal Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies, MINILS, Ilorin, Dr Niyi Olanrewaju, has tasked workers, labour leaders and trade unionists to endeavour to seek knowledge on a regular basis to cope with the emerging global challenges of their schedules.

Dr. Olanrewaju, in a remark at the commencement of  the maiden diploma programme of the institute, said this became imperative to avoid needless crisis in labour related issues and importantly, because organised labour should move beyond table-banging in pushing their demands.

The MINILS boss emphasised that due to the changing nature of labour issues all over the world, it had become important for the labour institute to look for home-grown but globally acceptable ways to developing the Nigerian worker.

He said: “We are embarking on a social dialogue and we should be moving away from table-banging in negotiations.” Because the veterans in labour issues are leaving, a development that has affected the quality of labour leadership, we must find ways of replacing them.

“This will enable them know the best practices all over the world and spur them to participate  in intellectual engagements. Many people do not have the opportunity like Oshiomhole who did some of his studies abroad, but we can replicate what they have over there also.’’

The labour leaders/students were drawn from Lagos, Bauchi, Kwara, Jos Bayelsa, Abuja, Jigawa and Ado-Ekiti.