Bolaji Agboola emerges MWUN Dockworkers’ Branch President in unopposed election

Warri, Delta State.

Comrade Bolaji Agboola has been unanimously elected as the President of the Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MWUN) Dockworkers branch for the next four years.

Agboola, who previously served as Chairman, Apapa District 1 succeeds Comrade Ibrahim Ohize after his two terms in office.

The election, which took place unopposed at the 6th Quadrennial Branch Delegates Conference held in Warri, Delta State on Monday was witnessed by representatives from the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency ( NIMASA), Nigerian Ports Authority ( NPA), Dockworkers employers including Crown Flour Mill, Julius Berger amongst others.

Agboola’s path to the presidency became clear after a major contender, Comrade Oluwole Adetumi, Chairman of the Tin Can Island Port District, withdrew from the race.

Adetumi cited the need to maintain peace and unity within the Union as his reason for stepping down, paving the way for Agboola, a pragmatic dockworker from ENL terminal, to become the sole candidate for the president’s position.

Agboola was elected alongside six other members namely: Bestman Biopko- Vice President; Oluwole Adetumi- Treasurer;
Sharfex- Trustee; Augustine Okpas- Trustee; Isa Ahmed- Auditor; and
Augustina Okeiwu- Special Female Member.

In his acceptance speech, Agboola called for the full support of all members and urged them to foster unity within the Union.

He promised to lead with integrity, fairness and justice.

He also thanked the President General, Comrade Francis Bunu on how he has piloted the affairs of the Union since his assumption of office.

President General of the Union, Comrade Francis Bunu expressed delight at the seamless conduct of the election.

He charged the incoming administration to see their election as one based on trust, hence the interest of the Union should be pioritised over personal interest.

Bunu also appealed to dockworkers employers to pioritise their welfare given the crucial  role they play in moving the nation’s economy forward.

“The Union’s role is not to antagonise government or the management but to ensure that both management and workers enjoy cordial relationship through improved welfare, ” he said.

Immediate past President General of MWUN, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju in his goodwill message thanked the outgoing branch President, Ibrahim Ohize for managing the affairs of the Branch well in the past eight years.

Adeyanju called on government to celebrate dockworkers for their contribution to tha nation’s economy, stating that without dockworkers there would be no port operation.

“He said, “Without the dockworkers, we cannot talk of generating revenue. Dockworkers are the engine room of the nation’s economy after oil.
The dockworkers are the heroes that lay the golden egg for this great country, hence we should be celebrated, ”

Earlier in his remarks, outgoing President of the dockworkers branch, Ibrahim Ohize thanked the dockwokers, their employers, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency ( NIMASA) and other stakeholders who supported the Branch during his eight year tenure.

‘I am the happiest person today seeing all the dockworkers. You stood by me for the past eight years. I thank NIMASA and other stakeholders for their support. We cannot do it all but I believe Bolaji, who I am handing over to today will continue from where we stopped.

“I urged the new President not to allow anyone change him because I know he is a man of his word, ” he said.

In his goodwill message, the Executive Director of Maritime Labor and Cabotage Services, NIMASA who was represented by Head, NIMASA Central Zone, Warri, Bolaji Aliu thanked the Union for the cordial labour relations and peaceful atmosphere the office in Central Zone is enjoying with MWUN expressing NIMASA’s readiness to always support the dockworkers.

On his part, Port Manager, Delta port, Dahiru Muhammed extend the NPA’s appreciation to the Union for the industrial harmony Delta port has enjoyed over the years.

He also thanked the outgoing dockworkers branch executive for their commitment to service and charge the incoming leadership not to lower the standard.

He urged the new leadership to focus their aspirations on good expections of members and ensure sustainability of the industrial peace in the Union.