…As President Jonathan urges workers to get ready for hard times ahead

President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday urged Nigerians to brace up for the harsh economic realities in the country occasioned by the recent fall in the price of oil at the international market, saying that industrial relationship can only be more cordial, if democracy was nurtured to grow.

The President, represented by the Minister of labour, Sen. Joel Danlamilkenya, spoke while addressing workers during yesterday's May Day celebrations.

Jonathan pointed out that the present harsh economic realities were so glaring that the workers cannot afford to ignore them in their engagements with government and advised them to be realistic with their demands.

'It is in this circumstance that the theme of this year's Workers' Day becomes more germane for positive engagement between government and labour. It is therefore proper to celebrate workers because of the critical role they play in the society. May Day confers us the opportunity to reflect on the inherent reality we are being confronted with due to scarce resources.

'The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC and Trade Union Congress, TUC, have a duty to play, charting a way forward for continued development and growth of Nigeria.''

Jonathan then commended both the NLC and the TUC, for their various contributions in the sustenance of the nation's development and democracy, describing them as the gateway to the nation development.