1st November, 2017
The National Union of Lottery Agent Employees (NULAE) on Wednesday said that lottery industry would create more jobs and generate huge revenue for the economy if given the enabling environment.
The Acting President of NULAE, Mr Mustapher Osmosis, said in Lagos that the industry had already created employment for millions of Nigerians.
The acting president spoke at the inauguration of executives of a Lagos Branch of the union.
According to Osmosis, millions of Nigerians are employed and self-employed as lottery agents.
He, however, regretted that there were quacks attempting to frustrate the efforts of genuine lottery agents.
Osmosis congratulated the new executives, and urged them to make truth their guiding principle.
“Take note that it is your desire, motivation, willingness and drive to serve members of this union that can move the union forward.
“You have been given the opportunity to make a me0aningful change in the union.
“It is not to castigate, criticise or frustrate any agency or individual but to promote the cause of lottery and unity of its employees,’’ he said.
Mr Idowu Olasunkanmi, the newly elected Chairman of the branch, promised to sustain the relationship among the state government, lottery companies and lottery agents.
“We shall harmonise the existing relationship and improve on it,’’ Olasunkanmi said.
He said that the increasing acceptance of lottery among Lagos residents indicated that the industry was one of the major contributors to the state economy.
According to him, as the government continues to encourage investment in the industry, the economic and social wellbeing its citizens will improve.
Mr Olatunji Gregory, General Secretary of NULAE, said that the inauguration was the second the national body was conducting, adding that it was aimed at regulating activities of lottery operators in the country.
“We have thousands of people doing this business in Lagos.
“This is why it should be regulated to rid the state of illegal operators.
“The illegal operators share the profit; that is why we are collaborating with the Lagos State Lottery Board to eradicate them from the system,’’ Gregory said.
He appealed to local government officials to desist from harassing and intimidating lottery agents over tax payment since revenues were remitted into the state purse and not local government purses.
NULAE parent body, United Labour Congress ULC, had promised to support the union in tackling its challenges to make it more productive to the economy.