The President General, Maritime Workers Union of Ngeria ( MWUN) Comrade Adewale Adeyanju, on Tuesday led Comrade Francis Bunu on a courtesy visit to the pioneer President General of the union, Comrade Uzoije Ukaummuna to seek his blessings and support ahead of the Union’s March 28, 2025 election.
Comrade Bunu is one of the aspirants contesting for the MWUN President General position and Adeyanju’s preferred candidate.
Adeyanju, while praising Ukammuna for his fatherly role in the Union said the visit to his residence was to inform him about the upcoming election and to formally introduce Bunu, while seeking his endorsement.
He said it would be wrong to start the election campaign without consulting the pioneer President General, given his significant contributions to the union’s growth.
He said, “If I decide that we will do our conference without consulting with you, posterity will never forgive me. The port is your house and there’s no how we can conduct our election without carrying you along.
“The candidate we are trying to project before you is one that will always remember the struggle that you and other past leaders whether from NPA, Dckworker, Shipping and Seafarer branches have put in place. So for me to say I’m projecting someone from the union, I must start from you as a sign of respect that I learned from you.”
Speaking on his choice of Bunu from the seafarers’ branch as the next President General, Comrade Adeyanju noted the need for equity and fairness as other branches of the Union, such as NPA and dockworkers have produced past President Generals.
He emphasized that his decision was not based on sentiments but rather on the system and the need for someone to build on the foundation established by Ukaummuna and other founding fathers of the Union.
Adeyanju expressed gratitude for Ukaummuna’s guidance and assured that the Union will continue to seek his counsel, along with other founding fathers, who have contributed to the union’s success story.
Responding, Comrade Ukaummuna gave his approval to Bunu and offered his blessings.
He urged Bunu to be wise and ensure consultation with past leaders to maintain the industrial peace and harmony in the industry.
He also cautioned Bunu against betraying the trust placed in him by the union’s leadership, who had unanimously chosen him as their preferred candidate.
He said, “As you move forward, remember to be wise and true to yourself. Do not betray others, for if you do, you will ultimately betray yourself.'”
Comrade Adeyanju was accompanied on the visit by Deputy President General, MWUN, NPA Branch, Comrade Harry Tonye, Dockworkers Branch President, Ibrahim Ohize,Vice President General,Comrade Abubakar Bello, President of the Seamen and Water Transport Branch, Comrade Sunday Avoseh, Treasurer, NPA Branch, Comrade Bamidele Ajayi and Dockworkers Branch Treasurer, Esho Mukhaila Lawal.
Others are Chairmen, Dockworker’s Districts MWUN, Comrade Wole Adetumi,Sharafadeen Oguntoyibo, Moses Osagie, and Wasiu Olarenwaju among others.