Nigeria: NUCCECFWW holds 6th National Delegates’ Conference

The National Union of Civil Engineering Construction, Furniture and Woodworkers in Nigeria  (NUCCECFWW) on 24 June held its 6^th National Delegates’ Conference in Asaba, located in the Delta State of the country. 

Under the theme “Sustainable infrastructural construction, a panacea to insecurity and unemployment,” the event gathered two hundred and seventy five (275) delegates and more than a hundred local and international guests. Notable guests included NLC President and TUC General Secretary Ayuba Wabba, BWI’s Nigerian and Ghana affiliates led by BWI Regional Representative for Africa and Middle East Crecentia Mofokeng, various employers’ associations and companies, and representatives from the Registrar and the Department of Labour.

The conference was opened by the Governor of the State, His Excellency Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa. In his speech, the Governor talked about the state’s different infrastructure projects and  commitment to reduce unemployment and poverty, as well as double its efforts to address social insecurity and develop more vocational trainings. 

This was followed by Wabba who delivered a solidarity message wherein he called on the state to prioritise the development of human capital and promote its infrastructure projects’ “value for money” amidst a 33 percent unemployment rate, which hit young people the hardest.  

Meanwhile, Mofokeng congratulated the NUCCEFWW for its milestone achievement on sustainable infrastructure development, which she said gave job opportunities to the youth and other vulnerable people. She urged the unions’ active involvement in all processes related to infrastructure projects to ensure their successful completion and decent jobs for workers. Mofokeng said that this could be one of the solutions to Nigeria’s economic insecurity and soaring unemployment rate.  

For his part, outgoing NUCCEFWW President Amechi Asugwuni reported on the union’s achievements for the past eight years. He called on the union to prioritise issues related to power, education, unemployment, transportation, health and economic insecurity. 

As a tribute, BWI Africa and Middle East presented Asugwuni a plaque recognising his exemplary leadership. 

The Conference ended by electing a twenty-one (21) person Central Working Committee (CWC), along with Regional Youth Committee Member Bola Aminu, who was elected Vice President. 

Newly-elected NUCCEFWW President Stephen Okoro congratulated the newly-elected CWC and thanked the secretariat for a successful conference. He also conveyed his appreciation and thanks to BWI and Mofokeng, who he called as “Mama Africa.” Okoro vowed to lead and unify the NUCCEFWW, and prioritise the union’s staff development, strengthen research work and relations with other social partners.