shippingposition
  • Home
  • News
  • Editorial
    • Vox Pop
  • Maritime safety
  • Oil and Gas
  • Personality
  • Health
No Result
View All Result
shippingposition

Home » The Late Comrade Graham Billy Oroh (1946-2012)

The Late Comrade Graham Billy Oroh (1946-2012)

by Joshua
November 30, 2012
in Uncategorized

He was arguably the most popular and widely acclaimed leader of trade unionism in the Nigerian Ports Authourity (NPA) and perhaps, the most popular among all leaders of the unions in the Nigerian maritime sector.

He was arguably the most popular and widely acclaimed leader of trade unionism in the Nigerian Ports Authourity (NPA) and perhaps, the most popular among all leaders of the unions in the Nigerian maritime sector.
From all the accounts that we have been able to access, Comrade Billy Graham Oroh who died about four months ago pioneered the principle of wel;farism within the work force in NPA. He was President of the NPA Workers Union between 1988 and 1992, before the industrial unions in the Nigerian maritime industry were merged to form the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN).
Late Comrade Billy Oroh, son of a steward, started out as footballer shortly after arrival from Ghana. He reportedly played football in Accra, precisely for the popular Accra Heart of Oaks as a goal keeper and was also seconded to the national team of Ghana; the Black Stars.
It was through his mastery of football that he joined NPA in 1970; he was based in Warri port and was still playing football.
Comrade Oroh actually cut his trade unionism teeth in Warri, rising through the ladder to become the chairman of Delta state chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress, a position he combined with that of being chairman of Delta Port District of NPA Workers Union.
It was from this position in Delta state NLC that he was drafted to the larger NPA unionism arena, and we were told that late Comrade Oroh fought against seemingly more formidable activists to emerge as the President of NPA Workers’ Union.
Following the merger with other unions to form MWUN, Comrade Oroh became less prominent, but still very respected by successive leaders of the union. Infact, the immediate past president general of the union Comrade Onikolease Irabor is one of those who were tutored by the late Billy Oroh.
The legacy of selfless service that late Oroh bequeathed to the union was manifest as successive leadership had a benchmark in responsible leadership.
It is commendable that while Comrade Oroh’s counterpart at the Dockworkers Union of Nigeria (who later became the first president general of the MWUN) Comrade Uzoije Ukaumunna became a ‘terror’ to NPA and to owners of ships coming into Nigerian ports, the late Comrade Oroh adopted a more constructive and mature approach to handle all issues that were labour-related.
It is to his credit that the take-home pay of NPA employees has been enhanced. At the peak of plans by the federal government in 1991 to privatise NPA, Comrade Oroh stood his grounds, fought the military government to standstill and instead of privatization, he secured a commercialisation deal for NPA. This resulted into a new salary structure for NPA workers outside the civil service package.
He resisted pressure to compromise, he never buckled under the weight of detention and intimidation; rather, he stood by his members and put their interests first.
When asked about Oroh as the President of NPA Workers Union, a longtime friend and ally of his, Mr Paul Obire told this newspaper in clear words that: “I want to say that the period that Oroh was president was a period NPA gained its place in the committee of corporations in Nigeria. I know how many times he was offered bribe for him to let certain issues go, instead Oroh would turn it down and he told them that he was not there to sell his people.”
While leaders of other sister unions were busy doing their things, Comrade Oroh was busy fighting for a robust future for NPA workers. Some became gods with an ‘army of bodyguards’ which dealt with perceived enemies, there were allegations of ‘hijack’ of incoming vessels for ransom flying around.
But Comrade Graham Billy Oroh never had a hand in these; he was busy fighting for NPA workers.
We were told that, (sadly) until a few years ago, the late NPA workers’ icon had no befitting home in his village. Towards the tail end of his life, he lived on the benevolence of some good spirited leaders of the MWUN; including NPA branch. That was the servant union leader that late Comrade Billy Graham Oroh was.
There was no Shipping Position Daily when Comrade Graham Billy Oroh held sway in the ports, but going by the recorded and verbal accounts of his exploits, indeed, we are convinced that he must have been a good man to the union and to NPA.
We also like to put on records the contributions of the national president of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents; Prince Olayiwola Shittu in our search for facts about the late GB Oroh. Not many people knew that GB Oroh and Prince Shittu were very close allies, way back in Warri, Delta state as employees of NPA. Our search took us to Warri, where the late Oroh started from and we unraveled a lot interesting facts about the departed.
As his remains will be committed to mother earth this weekend, we recommend his approach to current and future trade union leaders in the nation’s maritime industry, even as we pray that his soul rest in the bosom of his creator. Amen.


Related Posts

Despite ₦5.17trn Surplus, Dollar Dominates Nigeria-China Trade As Naira-Yuan Swap Struggles

Despite ₦5.17trn Surplus, Dollar Dominates Nigeria-China Trade As Naira-Yuan Swap Struggles

June 30, 2025
Meningitis: Death Toll In Kebbi Hits 56 – Govt 

Meningitis: Death Toll In Kebbi Hits 56 – Govt 

March 24, 2025
Navy Rescues 8 Police Officers,1 Civilian From Boat Accident In Bayelsa

Navy Rescues 8 Police Officers,1 Civilian From Boat Accident In Bayelsa

January 8, 2025
PHOTO NEWS: SIFAX Thanksgiving and Night of Praise 2.0

PHOTO NEWS: SIFAX Group Thanksgiving and Night of Praise 2.0

December 18, 2024

Discussion about this post

Latest News

NPA Bags NASS PAC Transparency Award

NPA Bags NASS PAC Transparency Award

July 12, 2025

Nigeria Customs Says Claim Of Form ‘M’ Migration Charges False

CRFFN Showcases Reform Milestones, Dismisses Court Ruling Misinterpretation

NCMDLCA Faction Distances Self from Amiwero’s Court Action, Backs CRFFN on POF Collection

Customs Intercepts ₦9.2bn Worth of Fake Bedroom Booster, Others

Customs, NAFDAC Inaugurate Implementation Committee for 2024 MoU

Nigeria Customs Intercepts Container with Over 10,000 Donkey Genitals

Senate Hails Adeniyi’s Election as WCO Council Chair, Says It’s  a Major Win for Nigeria’s Global Trade Leadership

Oyetola Launches Door-to-Door’ Diplomacy for Nigeria’s IMO Council Bid

FG Urged To Link Warri-Itakpe Rail To Inland Ports, Road Networks

Red Sea Operation Rescues 4 More From Cargo Ship Sunk By Houthis

Shippers’ Council Set to Establish Border Information Centre at Idiroko, Bolster Trade Efficiency

kindly like our Facebook page

Health

Contraceptive Pills Can’t Cause Cervical Cancer – Expert
Health

Contraceptive Pills Can’t Cause Cervical Cancer – Expert

June 30, 2025

Mrs Roseline Akinlabi, Adolescent and Youth Sexual Reproductive Health Desk Officer, Osun Primary Healthcare Board, says contraceptive pills cannot cause...

ONIONS: The Good Old Healing Vegetable

KNOW YOUR BODY PARTS: The Liver

June 16, 2025
ONIONS: The Good Old Healing Vegetable

ONIONS: The Good Old Healing Vegetable

June 16, 2025
Why Prostate Disorder Cases Are Increasing Among Nigerian Men – Experts

Why Prostate Disorder Cases Are Increasing Among Nigerian Men – Experts

June 1, 2025
20m Nigerians Live With Mental Health Issues, Says WHO

20m Nigerians Live With Mental Health Issues, Says WHO

June 1, 2025
Health Facts You Didn’t Know

How Your Habit Affects Fertility

May 19, 2025
Fruits For Raining Season

Fruits For Raining Season

May 19, 2025
See Mental Illness Like Other Treatable Diseases – Says Suicide Survivor

Health Facts You Didn’t Know

May 19, 2025
Alligator Pepper: Benefits, FAQ, Side Effects, & Warning

Alligator Pepper: Benefits, FAQ, Side Effects, & Warning

April 28, 2025
Water And Health: The Relationship That Helps Life

Water And Health: The Relationship That Helps Life

April 28, 2025

© 2021 Shippingposition

Navigate Site

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sitemap
  • Terms

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Coast To Coast
  • Oil and Gas
  • Maritime Education
  • The Terminals
  • Maritime safety

© 2021 Shippingposition