“By you I have been upheld from my birth; you are He who took me out of my mother’s womb. My praise shall be continually of you.” – Psalm 71:6
The amiable president, Nigerian Labour Congress, Comrade (Dr.) Ayuba Philibus Wabba, mni, turns 48, October 22. A common maxim posits that; there are three remarkable days in a man’s life: the day he was born, the day he marries and the day he dies. For the celebrant, the first encompasses this day of joy, fulfillment and accomplishments which informs the decision to roll out drums for merriment. No doubt, as the President of NLC at a relative young age of 48, God has done exceedingly abundantly above all he asks or thinks, according to the power that works in us. Birthday is a period for sober reflection on the abundant grace and mercies of the Almighty God upon His own. This is a time to appreciate and glorify God for His immense and immeasurable love upon His servant. This is also a time to reflect on the general mood of the nation as it is currently threatened by economic recession.
The strength and character of Ayuba Wabba as a leading Unionist was defined by the doggedness of a man who has lived a life full of dynamic struggles and fruitful activism. With vast experience, many active years and excellent track records in industrial relations, it was not surprising he came out victorious as the President, Nigerian Labour Congress at the 11th NLC Delegate Conference held between 12-14 March, 2015 at the Eagle Square Abuja. The Nigerian Labour Congress is a frontline Industrial Union in Africa established in 1975. The umbrella union has over 43 affiliates and boasts of millions in memberships. Wabba defeated Joe Ajaero of the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) to emerge victorious. Before his emergence as the NLC president, he was already a household name in the trade union of the health sector where he held over a dozen eminent positions beginning with President, National Union of Health Technology Students, State Secretary, Medical and Health Workers Union (MHWUN), State Chairman, Medical and Health Workers Union, Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress, Borno State Council, National President, MHWUN, National Treasurer, Nigeria Labour Congress, Chairman, Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU), Chairperson, West African Health Sector Unions Network. This vast and treasured experience has been brought to bear on the giant strides made by his leadership of NLC. Today, the ugly events leading to the run up to the NLC presidency are over. NLC is focused, better, stronger, stable, visible, viable and most importantly vibrant under the effective headship of Wabba.
Dr. Ayuba Wabba, a Public Health Specialist par excellence, had his early education at L.E.A Primary School Kawo, Kaduna, Government Science Secondary School, Waka-Biu, Borno State, before proceeding to the School of Health Technology, Maiduguri. Education is key to human capital and societal development. In furtherance to this notion, he had at various times enrolled into the Imo State University, Institute of Peace and Development, Israel, Houdigbe North American University, Royal Institute of Public Administration, London, Whaton Business School, USA from where he obtained a Post-graduate Diploma (PGD) and Master’s (MPH) degree all in Public Health. He is an alumnus of the prestigious National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, Plateau State: an elitist research institution established for policy and strategic studies which has churned out relevant policy documents for the socio-economic, industrial, technological growth and development of Nigeria.
With the current recession, the fundamental aims and objectives of NLC which are to protect, defend and promote the rights, well-being and the interests of all workers, pensioners and the trade unions, and to advance the cause of the working class among others are on trial. The level of frustration and misery index is measured at 36.7 above that of Libya and Iraq. This means that the inflation plus unemployment rates are highly unsettling. Expectedly, the costs of products, goods and services have skyrocketed leaving the Nigerian worker who earns a meager salary of N18, 000.00 minimum wage to groan in adversity. In fact, a bag of rice is now sold at the cost of at least N20, 000.00 which is far above the monthly wage earned by a Nigerian worker. Families have been consigned to unending life of adjustment. Consequently, there is mass unemployment owing to poor industrial base, low living standards as a result of poor state of infrastructure, weakness of institutions of democratic governance, collapse of public institutions in health, education, water electricity and agriculture. The fact that his birthday comes at a time when the economy is in comatose is a wakeup call to support government initiatives at providing immediate short and long term relief plans to ease the pain. This is an opportunity for labour to demonstrate the potentials to advance effective synergy with government aimed at unearth enduring solutions to the socio-economic challenges. Fortunately, NLC in conjunction with ASSU has inaugurated a think tank on the way out of recession. The leadership of NLC under Ayuba Wabba has consistently opposed policies and programmes antithetical to the wellbeing of Nigerians. It has constantly lent support to people oriented policies and programmes to better the lives of Nigerians. Even before now labour has already proposed a new Minimum Wage of N56, 000.00 for Nigerian workers deliberately designed to tally with the economic reality on ground. Comrade Ayuba Wabba is poised to see to it that government realises that a happy worker is a productive one.
The NLC President prominently sits as member of various boards including: the boards of National Labour Advisory Council, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, National Productivity Centre, National Health Insurance Scheme, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Non-Executive Director, Trustfund Pensions plc. He attended dozens of key conferences among which are Africa-US Economic Summit , Washington DC, 3rd WHO Global Conference on Human Resource for Health, ITUC General Council and CUT Conference Sao Paulo, Brazil, PSI Congress, Vienna, Austria, 2nd ITUC Congress, Vancouver, Canada; Recife, Brazil and ACFTU-NLC Bilateral, Beijing, China.
Comrade Ayuba Wabba is a proud recipient of two Doctorate Degrees (Honoris Causa) conferred on him by the Commonwealth University, Belize and Dure State University, USA. The traditional institutions in Nigeria in recognition of his services to the society and humanity have also honoured him with revered chieftaincy titles. He is the Zanna Ma’alama of Borno Emirate and Fiwagboye of Orile-Ifo, Ogun State. He hails from Askira/Uba Local Government Council of Borno State and married with children. As the nation prepares to celebrate a man who has ploughed all to his chosen career, it calls for everlasting gratitude to Him who formed the earth with the simple declaration of His words. Asked how he feels as he turns 48, Comrade Wabba exuding infectious smile replied that; my delight is drawn from the exhortation of Psalm 71:6-8, which affirms, “Oh God, by you I have been upheld from my birth; you are He who took me out of my mother’s womb. My praise shall be continually of you. I have become as a wonder of many, but you are my strong refuge. Let my mouth be filled with your praise and with your glory all the day.” Nigerians from all walks of life wish you the best of God’s promises. Happy birthday!
Written by Sunday Onyemaechi Eze, a Media and Communications Specialist.
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