May Day: FG gives NLC permission to use Eagle Square
The Federal Government has reinstated the union’s permission to use Eagle Square for the 2023 May Day, also known as workers day, forty-eight hours after revoking it.
Senator Chris Ngige, Minister of Labour and Employment, issued a statement authorising the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to use Eagle Square Abuja for the annual May Day parade in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Monday, May 1.
The statement was signed by Olajide Oshundun, Director of Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment.
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All invited guests, including the President, Vice President, Ministers, diplomatic missions, and international partners, were urged by the Minister to make every effort to be present at the venue, which remains sacred.
The assurance followed media reports that the Federal Government, acting through the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), has revoked the permit granted to the NLC to use Eagle Square for this year’s May Day celebration, citing preparations for the inauguration of President-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu on May 29.
He stated that upon receiving the information, he contacted his colleague, the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Muhammad Bello, who attributed the development to some overzealous FCDA officials acting without his authorization.
Ngige stated that following his consultation with the FCT Minister, the NLC has been instructed to proceed with preparations for the May Day celebration at Eagle Square, which is expected to be attended by the President, Ministers, other top government officials, and diplomatic missions.
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“The attention of the Honourable Minister has been drawn to press releases and statements in the media that the Federal Government disapproved of the NLC using Eagle Square for the annual May Day parade due to preparations for the inauguration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu on May 29.”
“Upon receiving the report, the Minister contacted his colleague, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Muhammad Bello, who blamed the situation on some overzealous officials acting without his authority, as well as a minor communication breakdown between the FCDA, the Federal Government Transition Committee, and the NLC.
The contractor handling the Eagle Square renovation informed the Transition Committee for the handover ceremony that their equipment was already in place before Thursday, when the Nigerian Army used the venue for an event at which the President participated.
“Therefore, the FCT Minister reassured the Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment that the space is available for use by NLC on May 1st, the worker’s day.
“This May Day marks the end of the current administration. The NLC parade is for everyone, including the government, diplomatic missions, international organisations, organised labour and affiliated unions, and the general public.
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