The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has stated that it solely sponsored its president, Comrade Joe Ajaero’s trip to the recently concluded COP 28 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
This clarification comes amidst accusations claiming the trip was a government-funded “compensation” for Ajaero’s alleged assault in Imo state.
Reacting in a statement, NLC Head of Information, Comrade Benson Upah, refuted these claims, calling them “badly cooked media propaganda.”
He said Ajaero’s participation in the conference was part of the NLC’s ongoing commitment to advocating for workers’ rights amidst climate change concerns, particularly in the context of a “Just Transition.”
He said, “The yellow light report dubbed the trip by the NLC president as compensation after he survived a barbaric assault at the hands of agents of the state in Imo State.
“Nothing can be farther from the truth. The NLC is participating in the Conference of the Parties (COP 28) held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, as part of the NLC’s commitment to defending workers’ interests concerning the impact of Climate Change on the livelihood of workers especially with regards to the Just Transition.
“The president’s trip and that of the NLC Focal Person on Climate Change, Comrade Eche Asuzu, was fully paid for by the NLC with NLC participating in the Conference of the Parties since 2009”.
He added that the body capitalised on the opportunity presented by COP 28, to showcase its research work on “Just Transition” across Nigeria’s seven priority sectors.