After months of intense politicking, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju on Friday emerged as the new President General of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN). He defeated his only opponent; Comrade Dahiru Talle of the Nigerian Ports Authourity (NPA) by 132 votes to 27.
The election was the highpoint of the union’s 4th quadrennial delegates conference which held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State at the weekend.
The election which was conducted by officials of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) was also witnessed by President of the NLC; Comrade Ayuba Wabba who commended maritime workers for maintaining peace, despite the poor attention paid by the Federal Government to the maritime sector.
Similarly, the Minister of Labour and Productivity; Dr. Chris Ngige, and other stakeholders commended the MWUN for maintaining industrial peace and harmony in the maritime sector in the past eight years.
Shipping Position Daily correspondent who monitored the elections reports that it was carried out under a peaceful atmosphere, devoid of rancour.
Speaking at the quadrennial conference, the Labour Minister who was represented by his Special Adviser; Mr. Igbai Iziren commended the high level of peace and harmony maintained by MWUN.
He said that the ministry places emphasis on industrial peace and harmony, because economic growth, socio development and national stability which are the necessary ingredients for nation building must be nurtured under an atmosphere devoid of tension and industrial unrest.
Also speaking, President of NLC said the maritime sector remains the life wire of the Nigerian economy and therefore must be given the attention it deserves because maritime sector creates the wealth of most countries.
He lamented the inconsistencies in government policies which he said has affected maritime sector negatively.
According to him, every port around the world generates 60 per cent of the wealth of their country and therefore Nigeria should not be an exemption.
"Why should people prefer neighbouring ports than Nigerian ports? It is because of the bottlenecks, the multiplicity of government agencies which must be addressed quickly, so that our ports can be user-friendly and thereby develop our economy"
"Comrades, I must salute your courage, despite the difficulty and the challenges, you have maintained peace and also contributed your quota to national development"
"Today, maritime is the pride of our labour movement because of peace and stability, progress and development, I urge you to continue in that light" he said.
Also speaking at the election, representatives of Director General of NIMASA, Dakuku Peterside, NPA Managing Director, Hadiza Bala Usman and other trade unions, commended the MWUN, while charging its newly-elected President General, Comrade Adeyanju to carry on the legacies of his predecessor, Comrade Tony Nted
Adeyanju was immediately sworn in along with 12 of his executives who were all returned unopposed.
A total of 159 delegates participated in the election as against the 161 expected.
Other officers who were sworn in are: Comrade Wasiu Keshinro, National Auditor, Benson Arowolo and Maltina Njokwu, National Trustee, Uche Igwe Onu, Treasurer.
The four Vice President Generals include: Ganiu Agoro, Bello Abubakar, Funmi Fashan and Chris Idangbore. The three Deputy President Generals are; Douglas Erewhobo, Tony Harry and Boniface Udoh.
The former PG, Tony Nted was has also been appointed in a resolution adopted by the conference as the first Chairman of the newly-constituted Advisory Council of MWUN alongside the past four branch presidents and Secretary.
In his acceptance speech, Comrade Adeyanju assured that the union would be a continuation of Nted's legacies.
"I want to assure the four branches of this union that the type of administration we are about to run is going to be a unity government that would carry everybody along", he said.
He promised to work with past leaders of the union including his opponent, Comrade Dahiru Talle.
On his part, Tony Nted urged Adeyanju and his executives to preach peace, saying that Adeyanju must work on the foundation already laid.
On his appointment as Chairman advisory council, he said, "initially I dint want to accept it, but due to a lot of pressure from the union, they believe that my voice of advice would go a long way.
"It is not a case of winner takes all, somebody has won the election, and by the grace of God, he is going to carry everybody along, it is a unity government that everybody would be involved" he said
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