President General,Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) , Comrade Adewale Adeyanju has described the reconciliation with foremost leader; Comrade Uzoije Ukaummunna, as his greatest achievement for 2023.
Adeyanju who spoke on Thursday in Lagos during a chat noted that the union is incomplete without mentioning the frontline President General of MWUN .
According to him, 2023 was a fruitful year for the union considering the brokered long awaited truce with its pioneer President – General at his residence in Lagos.
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It would be recalled that on the 20th of December, 2023, the day the much awaited peace was brokered as the indefatigable current President – General of the Maritime Workers Union, who doubles as the Deputy President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Dr Adeyanju with his entire executives decided that the protracted fuss be laid to rest so to pave way for a reunion with one of its “founding fathers”, whose dynamic quality of leadership acumen cannot be overemphasized.
Comrade Adeyanju during the accord event threw the entire premises of the former President – General into a presidential ceremony, praised Ukaummunna for his doggedness, resilience with sheer tolerance during the turbulent period. Prince Adeyanju further described Ukaummunna as a workaholic founding father of note in the merger of the four unions in 1996; whose vein runs with milk of meekness. He said, his generosity is unquantifiable as he brought a lot of innovations to the Union as its first President – General.
The PG noted that “It is on record that Comrade Uzoije purchased the property in Abuja that is today known as Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria Annex. This is one amongst the numerous legacies he left behind. And we are proud to say that he is our Pioneer President-General.
During the colourful peace meeting, Comrade Uzoije in company of his wife thanked Prince Adeyanju for breaking the jinx of yester-years that has held a father and children bound. They thanked the members of the Union for finding a space in their hearts to burying the hatchet; while praying also that he (Ukaummunna) be forgiven, stressing that to err is human and to forgive is divine.
Dr Adeyanju affirmed that”My greatest achievement for the year 2023 would be the reconciliation with my former boss Comrade Ukaummunna. This union under the reconciliation will witness the heights of peace among dockworkers and that also put an end to any form of rift. This reconciliation though is one of the achievements but I will say this is the major achievement for me.
While highlighting some other notable achievements for the year, the Deputy President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) also stated that the celebration of Dockworkers Day in 2023 was an eye opener for the industry, saying the media and Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) must be commended for the initiative of recognizing Nigerian dockers.
He affirmed that the next edition of Dockworkers Day celebration in 2024 will be colourful and bigger , noting that the Minister of Labour and his counterpart from Marine and Blue Economy will be on ground to grace and celebrate the port labour workers.
He also revealed that the ongoing annex secretariat construction would be commissioned within the first quarter of 2024 adding that the new office is 75% complete.
By Ajibola Adedoye