By Chuks NZEH
Kebbi State Governor, Dr. Nasir Idris, has eulogized the outgoing President General of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, MWUN, Comrade Prince Adewale Waheed Adeyanju, for his achievements in office, especially restoring peace to the union, among others.
Idris, who was represented by the Head of International Relations Department of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Hon. Uche Ekwe at the Quadrennial Delegates Conference, NDC, of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, MWUN, recently in Lagos, also tasked the incoming administration to sustain the achievements of the Comrade Adeyanju-led executive.
“Over the years, the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, MWUN, has weathered the storm, in its quest to enhance Decent Work and bequeath better welfare for members, especially under the outgoing President General and Peoples’ Comrade Adewale Adeyanju, my friend and brother in the struggle for a better Nigeria.
“If I start talking about the impact of his leadership over the last 8 years we may have to stay here longer than expected, but let me speak to one which I think is prominent from my outsider’s perspective, which is the hosting of this National Delegates Conference, NDC, in Lagos, he did it before and has done it again, which was not possible for many years before he rose to the leadership of this union, because of power tussles and the use of violence as a tool for dispute resolution.
“Comrade Adeyanju has institutionalised the International Labour Standards, ILS, of the International Labour Organisation, ILO,and our own Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, as the tools for dispute resolution and peace has returned and have come to stay in this great Union.
“As a trade unionist myself, I will admonish the incoming administration to also identify areas where they can make sustainable impact in the Union and the Maritime industry at large, to make trade Unionism very attractive for young Maritime Workers and beyond,” he said.
On his part, the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Joe Ajaero, noted that, the achievements of the outgoing leadership is a testament to what is possible when we stand together in solidarity.
“The MWUN has been at the forefront of the struggle for Workers’ rights in the maritime sector, a sector that remains the life blood of Nigeria’s economy. From the docks to the high seas, your union has fought tirelessly to ensure that the rights and welfare of maritime workers are protected.
“You have stood firm against exploitation, injustice and the force of capital that seek to undermine the dignity of Labour,” Ajaero said.
Also speaking, outgoing President General of Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, Comrade Adewale Waheed Adeyanju, lauded his executives and appreciated them for their sustained commitment to service.
Adeyanju, who is also a Deputy President of NLC, and Global Vice President of the International Transport Workers’ Federation, ITF, of noted that they were able to achieve Improved Conditions of Service across all sectors after decades of struggle, a minimum standard for Conditions of Service was established through the National Joint Industrial Council, NJIC, for the first time in history.
“This set a benchmark minimum wage of ₦200,000:00 for shipping workers.
“We have successfully expanded the union’s reach by inaugurating 9 new districts and units across different branches, including Silos Truck Bulk Unit, for Dockworkers’ branch, Council for Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria, for Shipping Branch, Haulage District and Barge/ Bonded Terminals district for also for Dock Branch, Commercial Private Boats district, and Tugboat district for Seamen Branch, LTT and Depasa district for NPA Branch, unionisation of GMT shipping, for Shipping Branch, and Integration of Lekki Deep Sea Port, Dangote Port, and Midstream Operations for Dockworkers’, thereby boosting employment opportunities for young Nigerians,” he said.
