By Stephen Gbadamosi, Ibadan
Founder of One Love Family, Satguru Maharaj Ji, has appealed to Nigerian workers to shelve their planned strike and embrace dialogue with the Federal Government (FG) to address their demands for improved welfare.
Maharaj Ji made the appeal in a personally-signed press release issued on Monday in Ibadan to mark World Teachers’ Day, describing the workers’ demands as legitimate, but warning that industrial action could further strain the country’s fragile economy.
He urged the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and other labour organisations to explore all legitimate means of negotiation to bring the government to the negotiating table, stressing that the country could not afford further economic disruption.
According to him, President Bola Tinubu was not a perfect human being, but he was also not as inhumane as some public opinion leaders portrayed him.
He described the President as a listening leader who had demonstrated a willingness to engage Nigerians and address issues affecting different sectors of the country.
“President Tinubu, right from day one of his administration, has shown that he is a listening father, who has always been showing his readiness to engage with Nigerians and address issues affecting different sectors of the country,” he said.
Maharaj Ji argued that both the FG and the current leadership of NLC inherited an economy already facing serious challenges, which, according to him, required constructive engagement and collective efforts to rebuild.
He attributed Nigeria’s economic difficulties partly to what he described as the legacy of European imperialism, colonial subjugation and exploitation, arguing that the country needed to address the underlying causes of its economic problems rather than rely on recurring industrial disputes.
The spiritual leader criticised what he described as the unproductive cycle of disagreements between government officials and organised labour, saying repeated strikes, blame games and promises had not provided lasting solutions to workers’ welfare concerns.
He maintained that the use of legitimate means other than strike action to compel the government to negotiate would be sufficient to advance workers’ demands, while urging labour leaders to consider the wider economic situation confronting the country.
Maharaj Ji said Nigeria’s economy remained fragile and warned that a prolonged strike could further disrupt economic activities and worsen the difficulties faced by citizens.
He also argued that the history of labour agitation in Nigeria, from the era of the late Pa Imoudu to the leadership periods of the late Comrade Hassan Sunmonu and the late Pascal Bafyau, reflected longstanding concerns about workers’ welfare and the country’s economic structure.
The One Love Family founder further called on labour leaders to look beyond salary demands and consider the broader challenges confronting the country, while continuing to advocate improved working conditions through constructive engagement.
Maharaj Ji cited several policies and measures of the Tinubu administration which he said demonstrated the government’s efforts to address concerns across different sectors.
Among the measures he listed were the resolution of disputes involving the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), the introduction of student loan schemes, payment of outstanding arrears owed to medical doctors, an increase in workers’ salaries to ₦80,000, improved allowances for university students, and salary increases for soldiers and police officers.
He also cited efforts towards state police creation, the reconstruction of ports and harbours, increased federal allocations to state governments, and expanded trade relations with countries including the United States, China and Russia.
According to him, federal allocations to the 36 states had increased substantially during the Tinubu administration, adding that the government was working towards improving the welfare of workers and the overall economic situation.
He maintained that constructive engagement, mutual understanding and sacrifice remained necessary to achieve sustainable progress, rather than confrontation that could deepen the economic difficulties already facing Nigerians.
Maharaj Ji also claimed that his global spiritual mission, which began in 1980, and the efforts of his devotees had contributed to protecting Nigeria from what he described as external forces seeking to undermine the country’s development and stability.
He expressed the belief that Nigeria was approaching a period of national redemption, urging citizens not to allow the country to be derailed from what he described as its path to liberation.
The spiritual leader said the FG was not opposed to the legitimate demands and arguments of NLC and other workers, but was working towards achieving improved welfare standards and programmes.
He appealed to the NLC leadership to reconsider the planned strike, warning that industrial action could place additional pressure on Nigerians already struggling with economic hardship.
According to him, all Nigerians have a responsibility to protect national stability, while organised labour should pursue an agreement with the government without subjecting citizens to further difficulties.
Maharaj Ji expressed confidence that President Tinubu would respond positively to workers’ concerns, citing what he described as previous political and institutional developments in which the President had overcome challenges.
He urged NLC and the FG to prioritise negotiations and national interest, expressing optimism that dialogue could help preserve industrial peace and promote stability.
He concluded by calling on Nigerian workers to return to the negotiating table and reconsider their planned industrial action in the interest of the country.
He wished the NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, well and expressed support for President Ahmed Tinubu and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
*PHOTO CAPTION: L-R: President Tinubu; NLC President Comrade Joe Ajaero; Maharaj Ji.
