Hendrix Oliomogbe
It was a celebration of life weekend in Benin City, Edo State as members of the Edo State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) gathered at the Comrade Adams Oshiomhole state secretariat to pay glowing tributes to the deceased General Secretary of the union, Comrade Emmanuel Okechukwu Ugboaja.
At a well attended special ceremony in honour of the departed labour leader, speaker after speaker lionized Comrade Ugboaja for his contributions and sacrifices towards the growth of the labour movement in Nigeria.
Speaking, the chairman of the Caretaker Committee of the NLC in Edo State, Prof. Monday Igbafen remarked that the occasion was an opportunity to celebrate the life and legacy of Comrade Ugboaja, as well as remember other fallen labour leaders, who paid the ultimate price in the course of their service to the labour movement in the country.
Prof. Igbafen, who presided over the meeting said the gathering was organised to recognise the contributions of the late General Secretary and other departed labour leaders whose commitment and sacrifices helped to greatly strengthen the union.
As a demonstration of the collective resolve of the Congress to honour its departed heroes, the Edo NLC Caretaker Committee chairman disclosed that the remembrance activities were taking place simultaneously in Lagos and Abuja,
The NLC Edo caretaker committee chairman urged members to reflect on the ideals and messages of their departed leaders, stressing the need for unity, solidarity and renewed commitment towards building a stronger and more vibrant trade union movement.
Prof. Igbafen, who doubles as the Benin Zonal chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) said that the state council had made adequate preparations for the programme, including the presentation of special tributes in honour of the late Comrade Ugboaja.
He called on his fellow unionists to actively participate in the activities lined up for the occasion, noting that their involvement would go a long way in demonstrating the enduring spirit of solidarity that defines the labour movement.
Amidst the echoes of solidarity songs, he passionately pleaded with the members to sustain the legacy of the departed labour leader through their commitment to the struggle for workers' rights and welfare.
The unionist expressed hope that the tributes, songs and goodwill messages at the gathering would console members while keeping alive the memory and contributions of the late Ugboaja
The former Permanent Secretary, Edo State Ministry of Agriculture, Comrade Bashir Kadiri advised organised labour to use the occasion to reflect on its unity, responsibilities and commitment to workers' emancipation.
Comrade Kadiri described the late ex-scribe as a humble, courageous and principled leader whose dedication to justice and workers' rights left an enduring legacy.
He called on labour leaders to sustain Comrade Ugboaja's legacy through unity, selflessness and collective action, noting that freedom and meaningful change must be struggled for instead of folding hands and expecting it from those in positions of authority..
He challenged the Congress to reflect on its achievements and renew its commitment to the struggle for workers' rights.
Speaking in the same vein, Comrade Jude Obasanmi, said that the late secretary general was a true labour leader who contributed his quota to the labour movement in the country and appealed to members to build on his achievements.
Ugboaja died on August 22 at the age of 60.
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