The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Tuesday commended the move by the Federal Government to hold a national conference.
Mr Chris Uyot, the NLC Secretary-General, made the commendation in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.
“President Jonathan should be applauded for the new step; we want to commend the president for seeing the need for a conference because we believe in participatory and inclusive government.”
“Any form of dialogue discussion points to a positive and an inclusive government and we support it.
“We think it is a good idea which should be encouraged,” Uyot said.
Mr David Balami, the National President, National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE), also told NAN that the association was happy with government’s move, adding that it had waited “patiently” for such a programme.
Balami said if the national conference was done without any sentiment, it would go a long way to solve the nation’s problems.
“Without sentiment, it will go along way in re-shaping our future. Our concern is the calibre of people that will be in the committee.
“We need to be sure also that whatever issues raised will be implemented too.”
Balami, who is also the spokesperson of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), advised the president to ensure that youths were included in the dialogue.
Mr Yemisi Bamigbose, the National President, Radio, Television, Theatre and Arts Workers Union of Nigeria (RATTAWU), also commended the proposal and described it as “democratic”.
He said that it would strengthen democracy in the country.
“As long as we want democracy to stand, dialogue is key and it is so everywhere in the world.
“If he, (president) feels we should talk as a country, there is nothing bad about it; it will only strengthen our democracy.”
