NSITF, SSANU, NUTGTWN, Wabba mourn Ugboaja, hail contributions to labour movement

The Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), National Union of Textile, Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria (NUTGTWN) and former Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, have mourned the death of the NLC General Secretary, Comrade Emmanuel Ugboaja.

Ugboaja reportedly died on August 27, after a prolonged illness.

NSITF Managing Director/Chief Executive, Mr Oluwaseun Faleye, described Ugboaja’s death as “a huge loss to the labour movement,” saying the deceased “stood firm for the rights and dignity of labour.”

Faleye, in a condolence message, described the late labour leader as “a committed labour leader, an articulate advocate for Nigerian workers, and a patriot who served with dignity and passion.”

He added that Ugboaja was “a bridge-builder, a voice of reason, and a dependable partner in the pursuit of protection for all workers,” while noting that his contributions to workers’ welfare and social justice would be greatly missed.

Also mourning Ugboaja, SSANU National President, Comrade Mohammad Haruna Ibrahim, described Ugboaja’s death as “a big blow to the labour movement in Nigeria,” saying the union had to postpone its National Executive Council meeting in Enugu after receiving the news.

Ibrahim, who is also the national internal auditor of the NLC, described Ugboaja as “the fulcrum of the labour movement,” adding that he was “very brilliant, sound and cosmopolitan” and related well with people.

“He is leaving behind a very big vacuum that will be difficult to fill in the immediate future, given the wealth of experience he acquired over the years and his ability to relate with different levels of the labour movement,” Ibrahim said.

In his tribute, former NLC president, Ayuba Wabba, said Ugboaja, who was the fifth general secretary of the congress, devoted most of his adult life to the trade union movement.

Wabba recalled that Ugboaja joined the National Union of Chemical Footwears, Rubber, Leather and Non-Metallic Products Employees in 1993, before joining the NLC, where he rose through several positions.

He said Ugboaja deployed his legal skills and trade union experience to “add great value” to the NLC leadership, stressing that “it was difficult to miss Comrade Ugboaja’s voice in any room of negotiations.”

The NUTGTWN also described Ugboaja as “a devoted, dedicated and committed labour leader,” saying his death “leaves an enormous void that will be difficult to fill.”

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The union, in a statement signed by its President, Peters Godonu, and General Secretary, Ali Baba, expressed condolences to the late NLC scribe’s family, the NLC leadership, Nigerian workers and the global labour movement.

The mourners prayed for the repose of Ugboaja’s soul and strength for his family, colleagues and the entire labour movement to bear the “irreparable loss.”