A legal legal icon, and a philanthropist, Chief Afe Babalola, has called on labour unions to review the incessant use of strikes by workers to settle industrial disputes.
Babalola disclosed this on Sunday in Ado Ekiti, while performing the foundation laying ceremony of “Nurses House”at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, (EKSUT), Ado Ekiti.
He said workers and their unions must learn to be moderate and realistic in their agitation for improved welfare.
He noted that strike option, as an instrument aimed at making employers to accede to demands of employees, was supposed to be sparingly used, and not the other way round.
With particular reference to medical doctors and nurses, Babalola said, “these categories of workers are not even expected to go on strike at all, considering the fact that their job is centred on saving lives’.
According to him, the uncontrolled use of strike in the country was fast alluding to the impression that Nigeria was not ripe for independence.
“We abuse everything in Nigeria including strike, the way strike is often applied in this country is far from the way it is carried out in places like Europe, it is like we are not ripe for independence
“Workers hardly go on strike in Europe, no matter what, and when there is the need to do so, such strikes do not last more than two hours before they are called off “, he said.
He urged Nigerian workers, especially nurses, to embrace habit of self-development by pursuing on-the-job higher degrees to enhance their competence and further their future job opportunities.
Babalola promised to see to the early completion of the nurses building project despite the current economic recession in the country.
Earlier in a welcome address, the Chairman of the EKSUTH Unit of Nurses and Midwives Association, Mrs Olufunke Adetoye, said the building to be named after Afe babalola, was in recognition of his service to humanity, promotion of education as well as philanthropic activities in the country.
She said when completed, the building which will have E-library, Creche and Mini Mart, would serve as the secretariat of the association and meeting place for congress, workshops and seminars.
