Thousands of former workers and pensioners of the defunct Nigeria Airways took to the streets of Lagos today mobilising supports and votes for the reelection of President Muhammad Buhari.
The ex-workers of the nation’s national carrier said they cannot show solidarity and appreciation to President Buhari better than now when he is seeking reelection because of his benevolent gestures to them over the payment of their severance benefits, 16 years after their airline was liquidated by the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
The ex-workers and widows of their late colleagues came out in their huge number, defied the early morning rain, to assemble at the premises of Skypower Catering Services where the rally took-off.
The ex-workers of the defunct national carrier who said they were happy mobilising for the reelection of Buhari, appeared in white T shirts and caps with the inscription: Nigeria Airways, PMB did it, at the back
Some of the banners they carried had inscriptions such as: “ Thank you Buhari for listening to the cries of ex-staff of Nigeria Airways in liquidation. Thanks for bringing back our long gone smiles. “Thanks for saving our souls and those of our family members” written on them.
The ex-workers led by their Chairman, Engr. Lookman Olanrewaju Animashaun, danced and sang solidarity songs while the distributed handbills canvassing votes from passers-bye for the reelection of Buhari.
A widow of one of the Ex- workers of the defunct national carrier said she and her four children participated in the mobilization rally for the reelection of President Buhari because he wiped away their tears by paying the severance benefits of their late bread winner.
“I am a widow of one of the late ex- workers of Nigeria Airways. My husband died while waiting for his severance benefits from the Federal Government after the airline was liquidated by former President Olusegun Obasanjo. My husband put in over thirty years of his active life into the service of the national carrier before it was liquidated. We waited till late President Umaru Yar’adua came and paid part of the benefits. We continued waiting again for another long period before my husband took ill and died because we couldn’t afford his medical bill. But President Buhari came in and in less than four years, has paid the benefits. Now, I can feed my children, fund our little business and we are able to complete the house my husband was building before his untimely death. Ours is now a healthy family with a roof on our heads. Thanks to President Muhammadu Buhari. Five of us are going to mobilise our friends to vote for Buhari at next Saturday presidential election,” the widow said.
