Former Edo State Governor and Senator representing Edo North, Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole, has expressed deep sorrow over the death of the General Secretary of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Emmanuel Ugboaja, describing his passing as a profound loss to the Nigerian labour movement and the nation.
In a condolence message he personally signed, Oshiomhole who is a former President of the NLC, commiserated with the President and leadership of the NLC, its affiliates, the entire Nigerian labour movement and the family of the deceased over Ugboaja’s death following a protracted illness.
He described Ugboaja as a dedicated labour activist who distinguished himself through decades of principled service, advocacy and commitment to the advancement of Nigerian workers.
According to Oshiomhole, Ugboaja’s career represented an unusual blend of legal expertise, industrial-relations experience and trade union leadership. He noted that Ugboaja was the first Nigerian lawyer to serve full-time in a trade union and rose through the ranks to become General Secretary of the National Union of Chemical, Footwear, Rubber, Leather and Non-Metallic Products Employees (NUCFRLANMPE).
He subsequently joined the NLC Secretariat in 2009 and eventually became the fifth General Secretary of the Congress.
Oshiomhole also highlighted Ugboaja’s participation in the 2005 Political and Constitutional Reform Conference convened under President Olusegun Obasanjo and the 2014 Constitution Review Conference under President Goodluck Jonathan, noting that these engagements reflected his commitment to national development beyond trade union affairs.
He further acknowledged Ugboaja’s contributions to labour-government negotiations, policy formulation, worker mobilisation and the implementation of NLC decisions.
“Comrade Ugboaja’s passing leaves a significant void in the labour movement,” Oshiomhole said, praying that Almighty God would grant his soul eternal rest and give his family, colleagues and the entire Nigerian labour movement the strength to bear the loss.
