Major stakeholders in the Nigerian Industrial Relations system will converge on Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies,(MINILS) Ilorin, Kwara State, for the ninth edition of its Annual National Labour Relations Summit and Fellowship Award on November 28, 2013.

The theme of the year's summit is 'Labour Laws, Institutional Reforms and the Development Process in Nigeria'.

In a statement issued in Ilorin over the weekend, the Institute's deputy director Public Relations, Mr. Wale Ibrahim, said, "This year's edition of this important annual gathering of critical stakeholders will be focusing on the impact of legal-institutional frameworks and instrument(s) on labour relations and development efforts in Nigeria, as well as the contribution of critical actors in the Nigerian Industrial Relations system in terms of defining theses processes".

The statement said an erudite law scholar and eminent Jurist, Justice Benedict Kanyip, PhD of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, will speak on "Labour Laws, Participatory Democracy and the Development Process in Nigeria: Issues, Challenges and Prospects".

The statement added that, "The summit, expected to be chaired by Justice Alfa Belgore (rtd. Chief Justice of the Federation) will reflect on the merits of having a comprehensive approach to development issues and highlight the potentials of the social partners in the attainment of vision 2020".

The statement said further that eminent Nigerians to be conferred with the Fellowship of the National Institute for Labour Studies (FNILS) in recognition of their contributions to the development of sound Labour Administration, and the promotion of Best Practices in the Nigeria Industrial Relations System are:- Executive Governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan; President, National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Justice Babatunde Adejumo; Head of Service of the Federation, Alhaji Bukar Goni Aji; and the Director-General, Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA), Mr. Olusegun Oshinowo.

Others include National President Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr. Abdulwaheed Omar; Former Director/CEO Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies (MINILS), Mr. Jacob Jeminiwa, and National President, Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), Mrs. Ladi Iliya.

The statement noted that the summit will also have in attendance His Excellencies, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, Executive Governor of Kwara State and Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, Executive Governor of Delta State as Special Guests of Honour while the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Chukwuemeka Wogu, will be the chief host. Acting Director General, National Pension Commission (PenCom), Mrs. Chinelo Anohu-Amazu, who spoke at a one-day interactive session with Nigeria Employers' Consultative Association (NECA), said the process of a major amendment to the PRA 2004 is currently at its final stages of consideration by the National Assembly.

She said zonal offices have been established in all six geo-political zones in a bid to decentralise the Commission's activities and bring services closer to stakeholders. Other milestones include the establishment of a call centre which will soon be launched to enhance the Commission's service delivery to the public and ensure efficient resolution of complaints.