In an open show of appreciation for their supports, the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) under the leadership of Comrade (Dr.) Adewale Adeyanju hosted the former Executive Director, Marine and Operations, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) ,Onari Brown and the Port Manager, Lagos Port Complex Apapa, Charles Bamidele Okaga at the Union Secretariat in Lagos yesterday.
Adeyanju commended Onari Brown and Charles Okaga for being sources of support to the union.
The President General expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the two men for having the interest of workers at heart.
In his words: ”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 ones 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.”
He also described Charles Okaga as a very peaceful man who is never disconnected from workers and from the Union.
Adeyanju further described him as a technocrat who studies cargoes very well.
Talking about MWUN, the President General who doubles as the Deputy President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), maintained that the union has been reformed.
He stated that members of the union are no longer area boys as they are doing very well professionally.
Adeyanju promised that the union will work hand in hand with Abubakar Dantsoho, the new Managing Director of NPA.
” 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 psychophants.”
Responding, Okaga commended the union for the warm welcome and the efforts of the President General to build the union.
The Apapa Port Manager also lauded Onari Brown for being an upright person.
His words: “I want to thank the uncommon President General of MWUN for his achievements and landmark. He converted the Union from been 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.
” 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 to NPA. It sees dock labour work as a work that does not stop at the dock. It is now moving in line with the movement of Nigeria 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.
” I believe that Onari Brown is prepared for higher responsibilities. He is 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 grassroot.”
In his own response, Brown praised Adeyanju for his kind gesture and expressed his appreciation to the workers of the union for being sources of support to him.
He encouraged MWUN to be closely connected with the new NPA MD.
He noted that he couldn’t imagine MWUN will honour him in this manner after seven months of leaving office, describing it as overwhelming.
He thanked Adeyanju and other workers for working with him and for supporting him while he was in office.
The President General later presented gifts to the two august guests and commended the union workers for their continuously working hard work for the good image of the union.