The Speaker of the House of Representatives Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila has congratulated the Nigerian workers for marking this year’s International Workers’ Day.
Gbajabiamila said although the day is being marked quietly across the globe as a result of the lockdown necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic, there is much to remember about the sacrifices made by Nigerian workers.
Gbajabiamila, in a statement marking the Workers’ Day signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Lanre Lasisi, commended Nigerian workers for their commitment and dedication to work over the years, which he said has shaped the country tremendously.
The Speaker, however, called on Nigerian workers to be more productive now and always, saying no matter what was achieved before now must be sustained and improved upon.
“I want to salute the courage of Nigerian workers, who have over the years given their best to their work. Indeed Nigeria and Nigerians are proud of you.
“I urge the Nigerian workers to redouble their efforts at this time of our national development. They must continue to put in their best in the work that they do for the betterment of the country,” Gbajabiamila said.
Also, the Acting Director General of the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC, Ms. Mary Uduk has urged Nigerian workers to invest in the Nigerian capital market in a bid to create wealth and save towards their retirement.
Uduk, in a goodwill message on the commemoration of the 2020 International Workers Day celebration, urged workers to deliberately set aside some portion of their earnings towards investing in the capital market.
She stated that capital market operations were still on-going in spite of the Covid-19 pandemic and urged workers to take advantage of the various opportunities for wealth creation that abound in the market.
The SEC Acting DG further stated that the Commission had adequate rules and regulations in place to ensure that workers investments were safe, adding that one of the responsibilities of the SEC is protecting the integrity of the capital market from all forms of abuse including insider dealing and market manipulations.
Uduk said the SEC also undertakes developmental activities to improve investor education and participation, promote new instruments and encourage innovation in the market.
“Investors are also protected through the National Investors Protection Fund (NIPF)and Risk-Based supervision of capital market operators to ensure a transparent and efficient market in order to boost investors’ confidence”She said.
She further said that the Commission, in collaboration with other stakeholders in the financial system was making efforts to come up with various initiatives to address the issues of financial literacy and financial inclusion in the market
According to her, “We are committed to enlightening investors about the capital market and the attendant benefits while also cautioning against investing in fraudulent schemes that appear mouth-watering but are actually not capital market products.
The SEC Boss further said that , the SEC was currently implementing various initiatives under its 10-year capital market master plan to enhance the protection of investors. Some of these initiative include Direct Cash settlement, e-dividend mandate system, transmission of shares, and dematerialisation of shares among others.
The Acting DG stated that the SEC as apex regulator of the capital market shall continue to introduce new ideas and policies towards developing and regulating a capital market that is dynamic, fair, transparent and efficient, to contribute to the nation’s economic development
The SEC boss therefore urged all workers to secure their financial future while working for the country.
“You have worked very hard to make our nation what it is today and I urge you to invest today and reap the benefits at retirement”she added
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