Yasin: Reminiscences of an admirer!

Sir: Were the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, registered as a political party, chances are that it will have little or no problem in getting its president, Alhaji Najimudeen Usman Yasin, elected into a public office with a comfortable majority. Two facts support this optimism. One, with members running into millions and being the largest single affiliate of the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, the strength of NURTW lies in its numbers. Two; nearly five decades of his association with unionism has endowed the NURTW president with rare organisational skills that only high achievers are noted for.

Let’s go down memory lane. A little over two decades, one of the important suggestions made by Professor Jamiu Oyawoye, MFR, undoubtedly the most prominent son of Offa and its best known ambassador was for communities to identify and draft their tested, trusted, prominent and incorruptible sons and daughters to assume chairmanship and councillorship posts at the local government level. The interview was part of activities to mark the birthday of Professor Oyawoye, best known to the outside world as Africa’s Father of Geology, and his suggestions were meant to strengthen the third tier of government and promote good governance, especially at the grassroots.

To strengthen the rehabilitation and empowerment scheme, the NURTW entered into agreements with financial institutions to provide needed support for members. Through various agreements, members now access bank loans with relative ease. This is in addition to efficient revolving loan schemes, cooperative and thrift system as well as several welfare schemes put in place for the benefit of members.

Magaji is based in Abuja.