Your take on the MWUN and the industry since 2001 when Irabor took over?

"We hope the faces behind the whole mess will be brought to justice and also prosecuted as necessary"

Ademola Irinyemi (Registrar, IFFN)
Dock labour industry has been faced with several challenges before and during Irabor’s tenure till date. But without sentiment, want to boldly say that Irabor’s leadership has performed creditably well, during his tenure despite the intermittent face off with operators in the industry (employers). Irabor has been much focused and result oriented.
For me, I know so much is yet to be achieved within the union, but lets us commend his leadership.

Umar Jimoh (President SSA, NPA Branch)
We are partners in progress; we have worked together as union and are still working together. Irabor was forth coming in all union activities. We wish them the best and plead that the union should stop the violence and come to dialogue, because I believe that’s the best way to go about the whole issue. I wish them well during and after the elections.

Capt.Adewale Ishola (Master Mariner)

I can say he has tried; the port industry has witnessed peace during his tenure unlike during the time of Ukaumunna. Irabor has been proactive and he moved closer to the executive arm of the government. He is everywhere in the industry, you talk about maritime labour you will find him there, talk about dockworkers he is there, he tried.
He raised the bar of the union as well as engaged in productive activities; so far he has given his best.

Ismaila Ojo (Dockworker)
The union has improved from what it used to be before the PG took over. Though there are lapses, but I believe he did his best for the industry as well as the union and we dockworkers.We hope anybody taking over from him will be as brave as he is and be able to fight for our right like he has done. It has been peaceful except for what which happened recently at the office. We hope the faces behind the whole mess will be brought to justice and also prosecuted as necessary. Irabor has tried and he should be applauded and rated 75 per cent.

Alh. Fatai Adesokan (Ag. Nat. Sec, IFFN)
The maritime labour union in Nigeria has performed excellently well in the last eight years. This is possible by the good leadership qualities of Irabor who initiated pragmatic and reliable ideas that have inspired the labour to put in their best.

Godfrey Bivbere (Maritime Journalist)
Irabor’s tenure was a peaceful and controversial one unlike those who served before him, we had that the union was always though, either a fight comes up or there is a call for riot amongst the union members. He did try his best in the sense that the sudden closure of the ports and frequent industrial unrests have reduced to a minimal level.
Though there are lapses on issues like before the concession, when he and the late president of senior staff association were accused of minding self interest and not that of the union and that he has compromised with terminal operators on the issue of dockworkers. But I think all that was settled within the union. He has done well as a leader and I hope his successor would do better than he has done.