Abiodun Aladetan has been elected Chairman of the Lagos State Council of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC.
He has made a firm promise to place workers’ welfare and rights at the forefront of his administration, particularly those in the private and informal sectors.
Aladetan, a member of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria, ASCSN, was elected on Thursday at the congress held at the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, NIMR, Yaba. Seven other executive officers were also elected to serve alongside him.
The newly elected officials include Chinatu Iregbeyen of the Association of Senior Staff of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions, ASSBIFI, as Vice Chairman; Hannah Omeje of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN, as Secretary; Egbukichi Veronica of the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, ATSSSAN; Samsondeen Ajala of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, RTEAN, as Treasurer; Salau Oladele of the Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government Owned Companies, SSASCGOC, as Financial Secretary; Kabiawu Gbolahan of the Nigeria Union of Allied Health Professionals, NUAHP, as Public Relations Officer; and Martins Adesanoye of the Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies, SSAEAC, as Auditor.
In his acceptance speech, Aladetan pledged to champion the cause of workers facing the challenges of workplace evolution, including automation and artificial intelligence.
“We are confronted with numerous challenges in today’s world of work. Many workers, especially in the private sector, are subjected to unfair treatment. Our priority will be to safeguard the rights of Nigerian workers, particularly those in the informal sector,” he stated.
He announced plans to reactivate the TUC mass housing initiative for workers, secure a permanent secretariat for the Lagos Council, and introduce agricultural empowerment programmes designed to help members achieve self-sufficiency after retirement.
Aladetan also assured that the Council would intensify engagement with government to improve welfare packages for pensioners, including access to free healthcare and transportation benefits.