NECA, Labour Party mourn NLC General Secretary Ugboaja

By Joy Oyerinde

The Labour Party and Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) have expressed their condolences to the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the family of its late General Secretary, Mr  Emmanuel Ugboaja.

NECA and Labour Party expressed their condolences over the death of Ugboaja in separate statements issued on Friday in Abuja.

In its message signed by its Director-General/Chief Executive, Mr Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, NECA described Ugboaja’s death as a huge loss to NLC and Nigeria’s broader industrial relations community.

Oyeride described the late NLC general secretary as a committed trade unionist who contributed to the advancement of workers’ interests, social dialogue and a stable and productive industrial relations environment.

According to him, Ugboaja played an important role in engagements among labour unions, employers and governments as NLC General Secretary.

He said Ugboaja’s experience in industrial relations, negotiation and labour administration contributed to the development of Nigeria’s labour relations system.

The NECA director-general also acknowledged Ugboaja’s contributions to engagements between the organised labour and the organised private sector.

He said the late unionist’s death left a void among leaders committed to constructive social dialogue and decent work in Nigeria.

Oyerinde prayed God to comfort Ugboaja’s family, colleagues, NLC leadership and the entire Nigerian labour movement.

He also prayed God to grant the deceased eternal rest.

In its own statement, signed by Ken Asogwa, its National Publicity Secretary, Labour Party expressed sadness over the death of Ugboaja

Asogwa described Ugboaja as a strong unionist, committed democrat and pillar of support to the current leadership of the Labour Party.

He said Ugboaja’s death had created a painful void in the labour movement and the Labour Party family.

According to him, Ugboaja played a pivotal role in strengthening the relationship between the Labour Party and the organised labour movement, particularly the NLC.

He said the deceased made invaluable contributions at meetings and deliberations that culminated in the emergence of the party’s new constitution.

The party’s spokesman said Ugboaja’s contributions to the growth and development of the Labour Party would remain memorable.

He recalled that Ugboaja was a member of the NLC National Executive Council that approved the formation of the Party for Social Democracy (PSD) in 2003.

Asogwa said the PSD later metamorphosed into the Labour Party in 2004, adding that Ugboaja subsequently became the party’s Deputy National Secretary.

He also served as National Secretary of the NLC Political Commission, contributing significantly to the relationship between organised labour and the political platform.

According to him, Ugboaja contributed immensely to the struggle for the sustenance and deepening of democracy in Nigeria.

He said the deceased’s commitment to democratic ideals aligned with the core values and vision of the Labour Party.

Asogwa said Ugboaja was a member of the defunct National Constitutional Reform Conferences of 2005 and 2014.

He added that the late unionist made significant contributions to shaping the final reports of the two constitutional reform conferences.

The Labour Party’s spokesman said Ugboaja also served as a Director of the Alliance for Credible Elections.

According to him, Ugboaja championed a national campaign for electoral reforms between 2007 and 2010.

He said the campaign contributed to the process that led to the establishment of the Justice Uwais Electoral Reform Committee.

The committee was established by the administration of former President Umaru Yar’Adua to examine electoral reforms in Nigeria.

Asogwa described Ugboaja’s life as one dedicated to the labour movement, democratic development and service to Nigeria.

He said his contributions to the causes would remain part of the country’s collective history and would not be forgotten.

The party extended heartfelt condolences to the NLC leadership, organised labour, Ugboaja’s colleagues, friends, associates and immediate family.

“We pray that God Almighty grants eternal rest to his soul and gives his family, the Labour movement and the nation fortitude to bear this irreparable loss,” he said.

(NAN)