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Founded about 29 years ago, the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) remains one of the most formidable labour unions given its prime position coming perhaps next to oil and gas sector workers.

As an import dependent economy, each time the maritime workers sneeze, there is usually a near earthquake as import and export activities are brought to a standstill.

Given its key bargaining powers, the Nigerian Labour Congress holds maritime workers union as a strategic partner at times of serious trade dispute between Labour and the Federal Government. 

And it is in recognition of this crucial role that it has been the tradition for almost every President General of the Maritime Workers Union to be “allocated” the position of Deputy President of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC).    

In its 29 years existence, six President Generals  have presided over the affairs of the union. They include Comrades Ukaumunna, Billy Oro, Peter Irabor, Tony Emmanuel and lately, Adewale Adeyanju,  who only recently handed over the baton of leadership to Francis Bunu. But in the entire 29 years history of this great union, no one has so impacted on the affairs of its members like Comrade Adewale Adeyanju has done.

“In fact, PG Adeyanju came, saw and conquered”, so declared an official of the union, who pleaded for anonymity.

In eight years, there was no aspect of the wellbeing of members of the union,  Comrade Adeyanju lost sight. It is to his credit today Nigerian dockworkers now earn a living wage.

He said: “Today, we have what we call minimum standard in shipping. Today,  the take home of workers in the shipping sector is N200,000. Before we came, it was N20,000 or in some cases, N30,000. For seafarers, they have their NJIC.”   

Another huge battle which Adeyanju fought to a standstill was the Ports and Harbours Bill, which, according to him, would have made the Nigerian Ports Authority a lame duck.

Adeyanju said:; “As soon as I resumed office, all the nation’s ports were clamouring for the cancellation of that bill. The bill has scaled second reading on the floor of the National Assembly. 

“It was a tough one for us, but with the support of everybody, we ensured that the bill was killed. If the bill had succeeded, there would have been no Nigerian Ports Authority.”

Also, under his leadership in the past eight years, the union which was previously notorious for its inclination to unrest and civil disorder has witnessed relative calm, peace and tranquility among its rank and file. Thanks to Comrade Adeyanju’s constant deployment of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, the union has endeared itself to stakeholders within and outside the shores of Nigeria.

In appreciation of his humane disposition, Adeyanju has garnered so many local and global awards as one of the finest labour leaders on the African continent.

Comrade Adewale Adeyanju may have served out his eight years as President General of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, but his indelible footprints in sands of time will endure for decades to come.

Credit:The Sun

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