The Registrar-General and CEO of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Alhaji Garba Abubakar, has been conferred with the prestigious Fellowship of the National Labour Institute (fnli).
Alhaji Garba Abubakar was honoured by the Michael Imodu National Institute of Labour Studies (MINILS) for his role in maintaining prevailing industrial harmony and prioritising workers’ welfare, amongst others, over the years.
A statement by the Head,, Media, Rasheed Mahe said the honour was also in commemoration of the Institute’s 40th anniversary, where the fellowship award is conferred on a few individuals who have made significant contributions to the field of industrial and labour relations practise as part of the Institute’s Professional Certification in Industrial and Labour Relations (PCILR).
The 40th anniversary, or Founder’s Day (1983–2023), of the MINILS recognized the efforts of present-day labour leaders alongside past labour heroes who fought for workers’ welfare.
The celebration held on May 9, 2023, at KM 7 MINILS Headquarters, Ajase-Ipo Road, Ilorin, Kwara State, also recognised present-day labour-friendly individuals and organisations that have maintained cordial industrial harmony in their agencies.
Speaking at the occasion, the Director General/CEO MINILS, Comrade Issa Aremu, said the Institute was being repositioned to become a reputable place where labour leaders and trainees from Africa, particularly West Africa, will leverage its training potential.
Issa Aremu revealed that the Institute now offered degree programmes, a national diploma, entrepreneurial training, and certificate on industrial relations and labour matters, amongst others, in addition to ongoing plans to introduce long distance learning programmes soon.
Commenting on the choice of the awardees, Comrade Aremu said the RG CAC and other recipients for the investiture of fellows of the national institute (fnil) have fulfilled the institute’s criteria, which include
promotion of a decent work agenda, labour friendliness, staff training, and capacity building, amongst others.
The lead speaker for the day, Prof. Dafe Otobo of the University of Lagos, who delivered the anniversary lecture titled “Workers Education in Nigeria: Past, Present, and Future”, stressed that Nigeria’s labour law was in dire need of extensive reform in line with global best practise.
The University Don said the world was fast moving towards a modern workplace leveraging technology, hence the need for Nigeria to follow suit.
He maintained that engagement and collaboration were key to enhancing employer-employee relationship and therefore emphasised the need for both parties to keep abreast of modern labour policy and labour education for arbitration purposes.
CAC News reports that several dignitaries graced the occasion, including the Minister for Labour and Employment(state), Festus Keyamo, SAN, represented by Prince Sam Okpako Onokohwomo, chairman of the governing board of MINILS.
Other dignitaries that attended or sent representatives included the Kwara State Governor, NLC President, Trade Union Congress President, Vice Chancellor, Lagos State University, Vice Chancellor, University of Ilorin, DG NECA, DG NHIS, Ag.DG SEC, DG NDE,DG National Productivity Centre, Registrar Industrial Arbitration Panel, and MAN President, amongst others.
The Registrar General was represented at the event by CAC’s Head of Public Affairs, Dominic Orok Inyang.
