By Demola Akinyemi
THREE Governors, including that of Kwara, Dr. Bukola Saraki,  Edo, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and  Dr. Aliu Muazu Babangida of Niger State, are expected to converge in Kwara State, Tuesday, for a “major stakeholders in the Nigerian industrial relations system’, at Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies, MINILS,  Ilorin.

The programme, the sixth series, will also feature a Fellowship  Award.

According to a statement from the organiser, this year’s Summit with the main theme, “Nigeria at 50: The Role of Labour in Nation Building”, is aimed at providing a platform for exchange of ideas by government, labour employers, academia, civil society and the international communities.

The summit also has the objective of reflecting on topical work-related issues and the implications for various parties.

The statement added that, “as Nigeria celebrate its 50th independent anniversary, the annual gathering of critical stakeholders in the Nigerian industrial and labour relations system is expected to be attended by industrial and labour relations practitioners both nationally and internationally, and will focus on the contribution of critical actors in Nigerian industrial relations to nation building.”

Repositioning labour

In addition to appraising their capacities to impact on current social transformational processes, the statement reads that the summit will also focus on repositioning labour as a strategic actor in national development and sustainable democracy.

There will, therefore, be a sub-theme on Setting Agenda for Labour in a Democratic Dispensation: Issues and Prospects.

Other dignitaries expected at the summit  include: Minister  of Labour and  Productivity, Chief Chukuemeka Wogu; President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC; President of Trade Union Congress, TUC; presidents and general secretaries of industrial unions and affiliates of NLC and TUC.

The institute will also give deserving awards   of the Fellow of National Institute for Labour Studies, FNILS, to distinguished personalities which include  Comrade Hassan Summonu, (OON), pioneer Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, President and current Secretary-General of the Organisation of African Trade Union Unity, OATUU.