Engr. Bob Joseph Yousuo is the National President of the Nigeria Merchant Navy Officers and Water Transport Senior Staff Association. He is also National President of International Transport Federation (ITF) Africa Seafarers. He spoke on the sidelines of the association’s 2nd Quadrennial National Delegate Conference, which held in Lagos last week, and where he was re-elected for another term of four years.
Can you tell us about the significance of today’s event?
Firstly, I want to thank God Almighty for keeping us alive in sound health to witness this special day. I also sincerely thank each and every one of you for being here. Today, we are gathered for the 2nd Quadrennial National Delegates Conference (NDC) on the 17th of June, 2024. I humbly welcome all our past National Presidents and Executives, our stakeholders, and the shipping companies present. We are grateful for their support. I would like to welcome our sister union, the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), and sincerely thank Comrade Prince Adewale Adeyanju, the President General, for his unwavering solidarity and support to us since the inception of this administration. I also welcome the NIMASA representative and thank the Director General for their unwavering support. Additionally, I appreciate the presence of the Registrar of Trade Unions, our affiliate bodies like the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), and representatives of the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) for their cooperation and advisory roles. The essence of today’s event is to gather together to appraise and celebrate this current tenure and administration of the Nigeria Merchant Navy Officers and Water Transport Senior Staff Association (NMNO/WTSSA) as well as officially round-off the first tenure. Also, we will be starting a new era as a new leadership will commence the journey for another four years.
Reflecting on your tenure, what are some key achievements you are proud of?
Just like yesterday, I and other elected National Executives were sworn into office to pilot the affairs of this great association. Officially, today marks the end of the tenure of this administration which has given room for our gathering today to elect new executives. Having said this, looking at where the association was yesterday and where its stands today, it is worthy for us to appreciate God for the achievements of this administration. Looking at the theme of my campaign during the last election that brought us into office, “The Dawn of a New Era”, we came onboard on the 25th January, 2020 and I am very glad that it is a dream come true today that the association has attained a new height. We have fulfilled the major task of our campaign promises with so many achievements. Reflecting on our time, I am grateful for our achievements, such as moving the association’s National Headquarters to a more befitting environment, repositioning the association’s image, building strong relationships with industry stakeholders and government agencies and many others.
Can you elaborate more on each of these achievements and their impact on the association?
Moving the association’s National Headquarters to a more befitting environment at 14 Oscar Ibru Way (formerly Marine Road) in Apapa, Lagos State, was a crucial step. This move provided us with a professional and conducive workspace, enhancing our operational efficiency and projecting a positive image to both our members and external partners. Repositioning the association’s image has been another critical achievement. We worked tirelessly to improve our public perception, ensuring that our values, mission, and accomplishments were effectively communicated. This effort helped in restoring confidence among our members and gaining respect from external entities, including government agencies and industry stakeholders.
“Serving humanity and my fellow seafarers is a cause I deeply believe in”
Building strong relationships with industry stakeholders and government agencies was essential for the growth and sustainability of our association. We established productive dialogues and collaborations, which led to numerous benefits. These include better representation of our members’ interests, increased support for our initiatives, and enhanced cooperation on regulatory and policy matters. Overall, these achievements and many more have strengthened the association, increased our influence in the maritime sector, and positioned us for future growth and success.
What improvements have been made regarding the welfare of your members?
We successfully reviewed and signed Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBA) with some shipping companies, improving the welfare and wel-lbeing of our members and increasing our revenue. We also received a brand-new Toyota Hiace bus (2020 model) donated to us by NIMASA during this administration. The issue of harassing our members by security agencies is now a thing of the past as we have been able to orient our Officers on the do’s and don’ts of the seafaring profession and what the association truly stands for. We have been able to educate the general public and the relevant government agencies about the pseudo name “Merchant Navy” and the result is paying-off. We have been able to disassociate our association from those illegal bodies soiling our name. The association has successfully done and submitted its Audited Account for Six years between 2017 and 2022. This administration has done general staff salary increment and allowances are being paid to some National Executives and Secretaries of our Shipping and Fishing Zonal Councils. Additionally, the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) alongside our association and other stakeholders in our maritime sector have concluded and signed the review of the National Joint Industrial Council (NJIC) for Nigerian seafarers. This is a great achievement because it is for the welfare of seafarers
Can you elaborate on the association’s achievements in international representation?
Four of our officers represented the association at the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) West Africa Fishers Seminar in Dakar, Senegal, in October 2021. The conference was to organize the artisanal fisheries in West Africa. Also in a closely contested election at an International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) Conference in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, I emerged victorious by securing a key position at the ITF; solidifying Nigeria’s stance at the global maritime landscape. I clinched the prestigious position of National President of ITF Africa Seafarers. Also, for the first time in Nigeria, our Fishing Zonal Council during this administration celebrated World Fish Day. The occasion was a significant success, highlighting the contributions of our fishers.
What is your association’s membership strength?
The association has increased its membership with the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) from the previous 2,825 to 10,300. This new membership has increased the number of our representation at ITF Meetings from one participant to three participants and a voting right of 10. Our association and the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) have started a collaborating Annual Seafarers Colloquium that brings our Nigerian Seafarers (Officers and Rating) and maritime stakeholders together to brainstorm on the way forward for our maritime sector.
Now that you have been re-elected, what are your goals and vision during your new tenure?
There are several key goals and visions I have for this new tenure. Firstly, one of my top priorities is to secure a permanent site for our association. This has been a long-standing prayer of mine, and I firmly believe that with perseverance and faith, we will achieve it. Having our own permanent site will provide us with stability and a sense of ownership, which is crucial for the long-term success of our association. Secondly, I aim to unionize more companies. The NJIC that we have signed will only be meaningful if it reaches the rank and file of our members, particularly the seafarers. For them to truly benefit from the NJIC, they need to be part of the union. This will enable us to implement a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) that aligns with the NJIC at the company level. It is essential for seafarers to understand that joining the union is the way to benefit from these agreements. By doing so, they can avoid feeling isolated and unsupported.
It sounds like you are very passionate about unionising more companies. Can you tell us why this is so important to you?
Unionising more companies is crucial because it directly impacts the welfare and benefits of our members. When seafarers are part of the union, we can negotiate better terms for them, ensuring they receive the benefits outlined in the NJIC. Without union representation, they might feel disconnected and face challenges alone.
“Seafarers should step out of their comfort zones and join the union”
I urge my fellow seafarers to make a small sacrifice, step out of their comfort zones, and join the union. This collective effort will lead to better results, not only for themselves but also for the younger generation of seafarers.
What other priorities do you have for ensuring the well-being of your members?
Another major priority is to improve the welfare packages for our members. As part of the labour movement, we are committed to fighting for better conditions for workers. For our seafarers, this means advocating for a good working environment, fair wages, and comprehensive benefits. Our members deserve to be well taken care of, and we will work tirelessly to ensure they receive the support and resources they need. Serving humanity and my fellow seafarers is a cause I deeply believe in, and I see it as a valuable contribution to our community. I never regret stepping into this role and encourage others to also make a small sacrifice for the greater good.
