ZAINAB JUNAID
The foremost maritime Labour Union, Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) under the leadership of the President -General, Comrade (Prince) Adewale Adeyanju, has disssociate itself from the planned nationwide protest scheduled for August 1, 2024.
In a statement signed by the Union’s Head of Media, Comrade John Kennedy Ikemefuna, the foremost maritime labour Union executives and officials are in no way connected to the individuals responsible for the planned nationwide protest slated for August 1, 2024.
According to the statement, Prince Adeyanju, who is Vice President Global, International Transport Workers Federation ( ITF) and also double as Deputy President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), said MWUN, being an affiliate of NLC will always heed to the calls of the NLC to participate in any industrial strike or in a coordinated, lawful or orderly industrial action, which in this case is a reversed one.
“Having said so, the Union will not take part in any protest not not directed by the Nigerian Labour Congress; however, the Union does not begrudge any Nigerian citizen to a peaceful protest.
“MWUN is a responsible Union with it’s vast membership as workers in the Maritime sector, providing essential services at all times and round the clock and also came into proper reckoning with commitment and patriotism during the COVID-19 lockdown when it’s members were required to render essential services in spite of the stay at home order by National Council For Disease Control (NCDC),” he stated.
Prince Adeyanju enjoined members of the Union to desist from any protest in the terminal jetties or oil & gas platforms and stay clear from hoodlums who may want to take advantage of the protests, to destroy properties, and towards maiming and loss of lives of innocent citizens as the scars of EndSars is still fresh in people’s memories.
“The Union is committed to industrial peace and harmony within the sector; therefore, all members must be at alert and be vigilantly sensitive towards miscreants, who may want to invade our sector to commit havock on the day in the name of protests”.
