...Warns against interference from external forces
President General of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) Comrade Adewale Adeyanju, has expressed a sense of fulfillment and gratitude to the union members for the opportunity to serve as his eight- year tenure gradually nears it’s end.
Adeyanju, who is winding down his second tenure of four years in March 2025, was first elected in 2017 and then in 2021.
Reflecting on the past eight years during the plenary session of the Union National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held in Lagos on Tuesday, Adeyanju described it as a period of “liberation and freedom” for the union.
He acknowledged the support of his executives, government, sister unions, employers, and other stakeholders, which he said has been instrumental in the union’s success and peaceful ndustrial harmony enjoyed in the maritime sector.
The MWUN PG commended the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, and the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency ( NIMASA) , Dr. Dayo Mobereola, and the Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria ( STOAN) for their commitment to the welfare of members of the Union.
Speaking, he said, ” I wish to inform you that it has been an honour of life, to be the President General of our Union, Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) and am grateful for the opportunity you gave me to serve.
“Comrades, I have been reflecting on what the past eight years have meant and means, liberation and freedom from the analogues of the past through which most of us glided, with bumps here and there but, today is a time of unity, a time for each and every one of us to come together and givé ourselves the pat on the back that we deserve whilst cherishing the good memories and lessons we have been part of and enjoyed over the last seven years.
“We would never have reached our potential to this date, without the enormous and unwavering support system behind us all, from governments, sister unions, our employers, the parastatals/agencies and most importantly my executives and most respected colleagues at National, Branch, Districts and Units levels.
“I would like to acknowledge, applaud and appreciate the enormous support and contributions of my four Branch Presidents to the numerous stories we enjoy as achievements of our collective administration. Without their support the road would have been very hard and perilous.”
Adeyanju also used the opportunity to highlight some of the challenges faced by the union, including the delay in payment of pension to aged seafarers, implementation of the minimum wage & consequential adjustment as well as renewal of licence of terminal operators among others.
He called on the federal government and concerned stakeholders to address the issues.
Meanwhile, as the union prepares for its election in March 2025, Adeyanju has appealed to companies, individuals, and stakeholders not to interfere with the electoral process.
He emphasized that the union’s electoral process is democratic and based on the delegate process, which is recognized by the union’s constitution.
“I want to use this medium to implore all of us to remember the sacrifices of our past heroes who through sheer will, understanding, tolerance and prioritizing our collective good over individual gain, embraced reforms which has transformed into the peace and gains we currently enjoy today in the maritime sector.
“Leveraging on the foregoing, I wish to use this medium to appeal to companies, individuals, stakeholders, agencies/parastatals not to indulge in acts capable of destabilizing the sound peace we currently enjoy in the sector.
“Our electoral process is democratic and stands on a tradition of the delegate process which we strictly abide by in accordance to our constitution. We therefore appeal non-interference from any external agent outside of the one recognized by our constitution.”he said.
In his remarks, President of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) Comrade Joe Ajaero, commended the transformation of MWUN under Adeyanju’s leadership.
On the forth coming election of the Union, Ajaero expressed confidence that the election process will be peaceful, saying, “I do not foresee any problem.”
Continuing, he said, ” Where we will face problem in the Union is when the leaders don’t want to leave. Where you have sit tight leaders by now they will be trying to adjust the constitution to remain in office. But where you have leaders who were elected and they know one day they will leave office, you don’t envisage any problem.
“Adeyanju brought leadership to MWUN and I thank him for that, ”
Representatives of the Managing Director, NPA, and Director General of NIMASA in their goodwill messages commended Adeyanju’s leadership and commitment to ensuring peace in the port sector during his tenure.
Photo caption:
President General, Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) Comrade Adewale Adeyanju ( 2nd from left)) President, Nigerian Labour Congress ( NLC, Com. Joe Ajaero; and other delegates at the MWUN National Executive Council meeting in Lagos on Tuesday.
