The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has celebrated the support and contributions of former Executive Director of Marine and Operations at the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), Mr Onari Brown, and the Port Manager of Lagos Port Complex Apapa, Mr. Charles Bamidele Okaga, by hosting a special reception for the duo at its Secretariat in Lagos on Friday.
Speaking during the reception the President General of MWUN, Com. Adewale Adeyanju praised Mr.Onari Brown and Charles Okaga for their unwavering support to the union and their genuine concern for the welfare of its members.
He said “Onari Brown is a wonderful leader who has assisted MWUN in many ways. We are not praise singers and we don’t worship employers, but we worship those that are good and we recognize those that are workers-friendly who pay our wages as at when due. Since the beginning of this union, Onari Brown is the second Executive Director that has visited the union,” Adeyanju said.
He also commended Okaga, describing him as “a very peaceful man. He is never disconnected from workers and from the union. He is a technocrat who studies cargoes very well.”
Adeyanju highlighted the union’s reformative efforts, emphasizing that the workers are no longer ‘area boys’ but are now highly professional. He also expressed the union’s readiness to collaborate with the new Managing Director of NPA, Abubakar Dantsoho.
“We at MWUN are reformists. Our dock workers are no longer ‘agberos’. We are using this medium to tell the new MD of NPA that MWUN will support him and work with him. I also advise him not to listen to sycophants.”
In response, Charles Okaga expressed gratitude for the warm reception and commended Adeyanju for his transformative leadership of the Union. He also acknowledged Onari Brown’s integrity.
He said “I want to thank the uncommon President General of MWUN for his achievements and landmarks. He converted the union from being a warzone to a peaceful state. I salute him for inviting us to this onerous occasion. His action is audacious and it beats my imagination.”
He continued, “this honour given to us cannot be forgotten because there cannot be a higher honour than this as it was not solicited for, induced, or complained of. MWUN is synonymous with NPA. It sees dock labour work as work that does not stop at the dock.
“It is now moving in line with the movement of Nigeria’s economic frontier outside of the immediate board. It has been working hand in hand with NPA consistently to promote progress and take care of seafarers and dock workers. Today, we have very vibrant, responsive, and extremely productive dock workers.”
Okaga expressed his belief in Onari Brown’s potential for greater responsibilities, describing him as “a man of the people and a very good fellow. He is the kindest human being I have ever met on earth. He is very humble and he has taught us that position must not separate us from our grassroots.”
While responding, Onari Brown also expressed his gratitude, appreciating Adeyanju for the recognition and the workers for their support during his tenure. He urged MWUN to maintain a strong relationship with the new NPA MD.
“I couldn’t imagine MWUN will honour me in this manner after seven months of leaving office. It is so overwhelming. I thank Adeyanju for working with me while I was in office and I thank other workers for supporting him.”
He added, “MWUN should continue working with NPA. It may not be smooth always, but extend the support you have given to me to my successors. They may be new in the industry and they may not have the same approach, overtime, you will understand each other better.”
The event ended with presentation of gifts to the esteemed guests.
