May Day 2017 in Nigeria in Pictures

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May Day, Labour Day, International Workers’ Day are some of the appellations for May 1st. It is a public holiday in Nigeria.It began in Europe as a traditional spring celebration to welcome Summer while the first Monday of every May is usually a bank holiday for labourers and workers. The US and Canada observe same workers’ holiday on the first Monday of September. The Catholic church dedicates 1 May to Saint Joseph the worker. What began as a pagan holiday is now celebrated with marches and rallies across the world.

Members of Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees carry a banner as they march during the annual May Day workers' rally in Lagos, Nigeria on May 1, 2017

In Nigeria, it is also a day of speeches and demands for better working conditions and remuneration, by Labour Union leaders. This year, as with several others before, labour is asking for a raised minimum wage for civil servants. As usual, there is a statement from government applauding workers and promising to provide better conditions.

L-R Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, Chairman, Trade Union Congress (TUC), Ogun State, Comrade Olubunmi Fajobi and his Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), counterpart, Comrade Akeem Ambali during the 2017 May Day Rally, held at the MKO Abiola International Stadium, Kuto, Abeokuta.

May 1st is simply another good excuse for workers to put up their feet. By good coincidence this year, it falls on a Monday. By all means, do enjoy your long weekend. If you know of any rallies or march taking place to honour the day, do join and remember to keep it peaceful.