MWUN mourns loss of ITF Africa Maritime Officer, Ayo Ohiwereh

The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has announced the death of Ayo Ohiwereh, a maritime officer with the International Transport Workers Federation ( ITF) Africa.

In a statement by the Union’s Secretary General, Oniha Erazue, MWUN expressed deep sorrow over the sudden loss, which occurred in the early hours of Friday 21st of February 2025.

Until his passing, Ohiwereh was an astute dockworker and an employee/consultant with the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) acting as Maritime Officer, Africa.

President General of the Union, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju also paid tribute to Ohiwereh, describing his invaluable contributions to the transport sector in Nigeria as phenomenal.

According to the statement, “Ohiwereh was in Nigeria, having arrived from his base in London, United Kingdom; for his usual routine working for the International Transport Workers Federation as maritime ITF Officer for Africa, especially as it concerns the Maritime Affiliate Scheme (MAS) project in Nigeria.

“Bro. Ayo Ohiwereh was at the forefront of the massive MAS Project in Nigeria, which helped immensely to strengthen and impact our collective bargaining agreement to meet with international standard and through this process helped to further the integration of the West Africa transport hub with special emphasis on the well being of dock workers and seafarers well spurring and encouraging the activities of all Africa based ITF Coordinating Committees (NCC).

“The Edo State born from Etsako Local government area was a staunch maritime administrator, whose vast knowledge of tne maritime sub sector globally cannot be over emphasized as he recorded copious achievements in every session he touched and or managed.

“He was indeed a change maker and a shinning example of vision and dedication.

“The late Ayo transversed the seven continents of the world working for better welfare for transport workers globally. His invaluable contributions to the transport sector in Nigeria is phenomenal, he was a trail blazer, who is followed by indelible marks, embossed in the sands of time.

“Bro. Ayo was a notable personality, who was very fond of every one of us in MWUN. He was notable for his impeccable “queens” English which captivated audiences and commanded enormous followership. Fondly, we referred to him as a “Whiteman” in “black skin”.

“MWUN will sorely miss his milk of kindness and his eternal love of humanity. His death is a great loss to humanity and has certainly created a vacuum which will be hard to fill. Our “brother” has contributed his utmost and gone to rest with the Lord. May his revered soul rest in peace.”