Nigeria: NSCIA appeals for calm, urgent peaceful resolution of industrial actions in Kaduna State

The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) under the leadership of His Eminence, Alh. Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni, has expressed concern over the unfortunate ongoing industrial actions in Kaduna State.

The Council expressed this in a statement signed by its Director of Administration, Zubairu Haruna Usman-Ugwu, on Thursday May 20, 2021.

NSCIA declared its possition regrading the trade dispute and subsequent hardening of positions between the state government and Coalition of Trade Unions, which has led to the regrettable disruption of socio-economic activities of the state.

According to the statement, the Council believes that, though industrial actions are lawful means of seeking rights from the government, the current strike in Kaduna State is unfortunate, and inauspicious.

It remarks that the action “is capable of compounding the already precarious situations prevailing in Kaduna State in particular and the country in general”.

The Council, however, enjoined the people of the state to consider the wide-spread insecurity and the Covid-19 Pandemic with attendant devastating and traumatic socio-economic and life threatening effects on the state.

“The Council is concerned that, if the issue is not swiftly resolved with tact and wisdom by all sides, it might not only compound the suffering of the already traumatised citizens of Kaduna State, but may also even spin out of control and snowball into unforeseen national tragedy of immense proportions with unpleasant consequences across the state and beyond,” the statement reads.

It adds, “It is in the light of the above that the Council hereby appeals to all parties especially the Kaduna State Government and the leadership of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) to exercise restraints and embrace negotiation as the best approach for resolving this avoidable crisis that has created tension and distraction for both parties from the lofty goals being pursued for the benefit of the citizens.”

Making reference to the holy Qur’an 42:38, NSCIA stated that one of the qualities of the community of believers in God is described by Allah as those who conduct their affairs by mutual consultation

“The recourse to round table discussion with sincerity and patriotism will bring about a win-win solution for all the critical stakeholders to the relief of the general public whom both parties love to serve,” it concluded.