By Chukwuma Umeorah
The prolonged leadership dispute between the Lagos State Government and the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) has been amicably and formally resolved.
National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, in an official statement, noted that the resolution followed the intervention of the Federal Government of Nigeria, aligning with the memorandum of understanding dated October 2, 2023, with the primary objective of fostering industrial harmony and upholding the sanctity of the rule of law.
The statement was also addressed to the offices of Chief of Staff to Mr. President, Governor of Lagos State, Inspector General of Police and the Department of State Services.
The focal point of the dispute centred around contentious leadership issues within RTEAN, which has now been conclusively addressed with the unanimous appointment of Adeshina Teslim Hussaini, widely recognized as Okolomo, as the chairman of RTEAN in Lagos State. “This appointment is slated to take effect from January 1, 2024.”
Ribadu delineated the comprehensive agreements reached, emphasizing the unwavering commitment of the present administration to ‘elevate industrial harmony and uphold the supremacy of the rule of law.’
The highlights of the resolutions as contained in the Statement by the National Security Adviser include;
“The contentious issue of RTEAN leadership has been laid to rest with the unanimous appointment of a new state Chairman of the union in Lagos State. Adeshina Teslim Hussaini, aka Okolomo, is the new Chairman of RTEAN in Lagos State with effect from I January 2024.
“The Lagos State office of RTEAN and all properties hitherto taken away are hereby returned to the union.”
Ribadu also directed that the operation of RTEAN in all motor parks in Lagos State to resume with immediate effect, while, “No member of RTEAN will be victimized by the union or Lagos State Government for their role in the dispute.” It also added that Lagos State Government, its agencies and the general public are not to be intimated about the peaceful resolution.
“As an integral part of the resolution process, an official communication is slated to inform the Lagos State Government, its associated agencies, and the general public about the successful settlement.
This communication serves as a formal announcement heralding a new chapter for RTEAN in Lagos State,” the statement read.