President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has mourned the death of the General Secretary of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Emmanuel Ugboaja, describing him as a strong voice of the workers’ movement who devoted his professional life to advancing workers’ rights, welfare and dignity.
The President also extended his condolences to the NLC, its affiliate unions, the legal profession and the family of the veteran trade unionist, who died on Thursday.
In a statement issued on Friday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu said Ugboaja’s contributions to constructive engagements between organised labour, government authorities and employers would be remembered.
He described the late NLC General Secretary as a veteran trade unionist and legal practitioner who brought legal knowledge, strategic insight and administrative competence to the labour movement.
‘Comrade Ugboaja, who died on Thursday, devoted his professional life to advancing the rights, welfare and dignity of workers.
‘As a veteran trade unionist and a legal practitioner, he brought to the labour movement a rare combination of legal knowledge, strategic insight, administrative competence and an unwavering commitment to justice’, the President said.
Tinubu recalled the responsibilities Ugboaja shouldered as General Secretary of the NLC, particularly in coordinating the affairs of organised labour and providing strategic direction to the movement and its affiliate unions during critical periods.
According to the President, the late labour leader also played an important role in building consensus among workers and their representatives.
‘As General Secretary, he carried enormous responsibility, coordinating the affairs and providing strategic direction for the operations of the labour movement and its affiliate unions at critical moments.
‘He helped to forge a common purpose among workers and their representatives’, Tinubu said.
The President also acknowledged Ugboaja’s central role in negotiations involving organised labour, the government and employers, saying his background as a lawyer and his understanding of industrial relations proved invaluable during such engagements.
He said the late unionist’s contributions to constructive engagements with government authorities and employers would continue to be cherished.
Tinubu prayed for God’s comfort for Ugboaja’s family, the labour community and others mourning his death, urging them to draw consolation from the life of service he lived.
‘May his soul rest in perfect peace,’ the President said.