SEAMEN Lagos Industrial District Gets New EXCO
•Comrade Bashiru takes over from Comrade Power
By Isaac ORIEKA
To the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and other related international maritime organizations.
Last December 2021, the Union held its Lagos industrial election which ushered in new officials of the District. While the following branches, NPA, Dock Workers, Shipping, and Seamen/NlWA Water Transport, already had their elections. The four branches have their branch Presidents under one President-General who oversees the entire branches. The Districts and units make up the entire Union.
Comrade Adewale Adeyanju, President-General of the Union has remained one brilliant figure in the development of the Union as a former dockworker giant, who has proven his technical know-how in making sure the legacies of the past PG’s is maintained and improved upon under his current administration.
The eloquent President-General, during his opening address, lashed out at some Union members who have now seen the Union as a marketing platform. According to him, some dubious members want to sell the Union into their pockets for personal gain and interest as if the Union belongs to a clique. He said the Union belongs to nobody, so nobody should lay claim to it as his or her personal empire.
He said there is the need to change the character and perception of the Districts by not turning the Districts into a market bonanza that will not profit the greedy marketers within the Union. He asked, why threatening the President after the election into office? after all the system is bigger than any member. This is the task for the new executives to consider to maintain equilibrium. For him, the Seafarers branch is supposed to be one of the richest branches. He continued that when NPA was NPA, the Union was buoyant, but now, the Seafarers is dead. Therefore, to become the President of the Seafarers you must be ready to work. Comrade Adeyanju gave an ultimatum of a 3-month deadline for the new District Chairman of the Lagos industrial district to rebuild the district or quiet office with no apology to those who are embezzling the funds in collaboration with the marketers and retailers. Creekvibes magazine at the event noted that the PG, berated some Seafarers who are fake, carrying guns, cutlasses,and other dangerous weapons in the name of Unionism. He declared that Seafarers worldwide are responsible people and not touts.
He lauded the excellent effort of former Seamen branch President, Comrade Francis Bunu Abi (the Sheriff). This young intelligent and sophisticated labour leader is seen as amongst the young transformer, having turned the fortunes of the Seamen branch from zero to multiple digits. He is regarded as one of the reformers of Nted’s Digital Union philosophy today. Mr. Sunday Avoshe, the current President of the Seamen/ NlWA branch was also applauded in his present managerial effort in sustaining the high standard set before him.
The following were appointed into various positions. Comrade Bashiru Shaibu, Chairman Lagos Industrial District. Comrade John Ikemefuna, Deputy Organizing Secretary of the Seafarers branch in Lagos, and others. The PG, promised to reposition the Union and other branches for effective performance. The Union apart from being a pressure group, is also an important stakeholder in the maritime sector, with her professionals who are contributing greatly to the development, maintenance, repair, building, and supplying of logistics infrastructure in the industry.
In summary, the PG, Comrade Adeyanju declared that there must be a new dawn in the system which ended with their usual slogan, E Soweto! E Africa! Aye! Aye !
