THE Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has urged democrats all over the world to use the occasion of the recent death of the former President of South Africa Nelson Mandela “to organise” democratic dividends for the masses rather than “agonising”.

   The NLC yesterday in a Chat with The Guardian in Ilorin through its vice president Issa Aremu, said the life of Mandela should be emulated by all democrats, as it is the true norm and value for government.

   He said, “his death was a shock, coming just few months after the good people of the world with remarkable gratitude marked his 95th birthday, despite his old age and health related challenge. We join the progressive humankind to mourn his death.

  “The departure of a freedom fighter, global icon for forgiveness and unprecedented transition from tyranny to non-racial democracy is capable of ushering a global despair, disillusionment and agony.”

   The NLC described Madiba as a friend to labour adding, “he was a close ally of the global trade union movement both in the struggle against apartheid and decent work agenda as demanded by the International Labour Organisation (ILO).

  “We are right to legitimately agonise over the inevitable death of the beloved Madiba. But after agonising, we must rise up like Mandela to organise for a better world, freedom and liberty.”