NLC admonishes FG to create enabling environment for education, healthcare to thrive

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has advised the Federal Government to create enabling environment for developmental growth in education and healthcare in the country.

Wabba made call this during a Public Lecture at the 5th memorial of the former Cuban president, Fidel Castro organised by the Embassy of Cuba on Friday in Abuja.

He said that education and healthcare were very important sectors the Nigerian government must intensify efforts in ensuring that high standards were achieved.

He said that the Nigerian workers and trade unions were in solidarity with the people of Cuba.

He said that the late Castro lived a life that was worthy of emulation by African leaders.

“Late comrade Fidel Castro is an inspiration to all of us, and those that believe that the system must be change for the better.

“Those that believe there must be social justice, those that believe that there is enough for everybody to have and not lack.

“Therefore, that is why we are here in this number to continue to remember this icon who struggled for democracy, social justice and for shared prosperity.

“Today as we remembered him, wealth has more than tripled but poverty is also worse in many jurisdictions including where we are today,” he said.

The NLC however said while listing Castro’s major achievements in the liberation of African countries from colonial rule, he also called for an end to the sanctions on Cuba.

The labour leader said that the economic blockage against the Republic of Cuba by the U.S. and its allies were neoliberal in nature and it should be lifted and there was no justification for it.

”That is to lift all economy blockage against the people and the Republic of Cuba and also let me commend the people for their tenacity,’ ‘he said.

Also, the Vice-Chancellor, Nasarawa State University, Prof. Suleman Bala, the keynote speaker at the occasion delivered a lecture titled: ”Fidel Castro and the Liberation of Africa”, called on the Nigerian masses to shunned ethnicity.

Bala, represented by Dr Usman Yusuf, the Deputy Director, Institute of Governance and Developmental Studies in the university, said Nigeria must also shun religious differences and unite in fighting the unjust policies of government at all levels.

He therefore called for the adoption of the kind of social economic struggle used by the late Cuban leader.

”Castro led a very good and successful struggle that benefited significant people in Cuba and some other parts of the world, especially Africa.

”But the point I think I want to make as far as the life of Castro is concerned is that he was a man that struggled against a system that is against the people, that served the interest of the few,” he said.

Cuban Ambassador to Nigeria, Carla Polido called for more solidarity to stop the economic blockage against the Republic of Cuba by the U.S. and its allies.

She decried the anti-protest in Cuba last July, saying it was blown out of proportion by western media.

It was reported that members of the diplomatic corps who were present to show their solidarity with the Cuban people included the ambassadors of Palestine, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela, Namibia, among others.