Abuja – The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Babachir Lawal, said on Tuesday that the Federal Government would partner with labour unions to ensure peace and security in the country.

This is contained in a statement issued in Abuja by Mr Bolaji Adebiyi, Director of Press in the office of the SGF.

SGF, Babachir

The statement said Lawal made the pledge when he received a delegation from the Organisation of Trade Unions of West Africa (OTUWA) led by its President, Mr Mademba Sock.

It said the SGF applauded the decision of OTUWA to relocate its headquarters to Abuja.

It stated that the proximity of the union to ECOWAS secretariat would enhance the anticipated and much desired cooperation.

“The Government of President Muhammadu Buhari is prepared to partner with the unions to achieve peace and security across the West African sub-region,” the statement quoted the SGF as saying.

According to the statement, the SGF assured the delegation of the Federal Government’s commitment to ensure that the union settles down in Abuja.

The statement said Sock told the SGF that the union was prepared to contribute to the development and integration of the West African sub-region.

It said the union president pledged to partner with governments in West Africa to lead workers to transform the entire sub-region and accelerate socio-cultural, economic and political integration.

“To achieve this, the union will hold from May 11–13, 2016, a Strategic Planning Workshop in Abuja to draw up a five-year Plan of Activities for OTUWA.

The workshop, the statement said, would be supported by the International Labour Organisation (ILO).

It added the participants were drawn from major global unions, labour organisations in the sub-region and across Africa.