Edo Labour leaders gather in honour of late NLC Gen. Sec. Ugboaja

Benin City was on Friday turned into a ground for sober reflection as labour leaders, workers and civil society actors converged to honour the late General Secretary of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Comrade Emmanuel Okechukwu Ugboaja.

The event organised by the Edo State Council of the NLC, was part of a nationwide programme of tributes and songs held simultaneously in other state councils to keep alive the memory of Ugboaja’s, a man many described as the engine room of the NLC.

Addressing the gathering, the Chairman of the Caretaker Committee of the NLC in Edo State, Comrade (Prof.) Monday Igbafen, said Ugboaja did not just serve the Congress, he gave his all to it.

According to him, the day was not meant for mere ceremony but for workers to look back, take stock and draw lessons from the life of a leader whose commitment strengthened the Congress.

“We are here to celebrate a life well spent in the service of workers. We are also here to remember all our fallen comrades whose sacrifices made the NLC what it is today,” Igbafen said.

He urged comrades not to treat the remembrance not as a one-off event, but to carry its message forward by staying united, disciplined and committed to the struggle for better welfare and dignity for Nigerian workers.

Igbafen also told the gathering that Edo had fully prepared for the programme, including special tributes, and called for massive participation in the remaining activities lined up in Lagos and Abuja for the late General Secretary.

He said he was hopeful that the songs, tributes and goodwill messages would bring comfort to members and ensure that Ugboaja’s name and works are not forgotten.

In his remarks, a labour leader and former Permanent Secretary in the Edo State Ministry of Agriculture, Comrade Bashir Kadiri, challenged labour to move beyond mourning to action.

Kadiri described Ugboaja as humble, fearless and principled — a leader who stood firmly for justice and for the rights of workers till the end.

“Freedom is not given, it is fought for. If we want to honour Ugboaja, we must be united, selfless and ready to act collectively,” he said.

He warned that labour cannot afford division at a time workers are facing serious economic pressure, and urged leaders to renew their commitment to the emancipation of workers.

Also speaking, a representative of the civil society organisations, Comrade Jude Obasanmi said Ugboaja was a true labour leader who played his part faithfully and left a solid legacy for others to build on.

Obasanmi appealed to members of the Congress to protect that legacy by remaining steadfast in the struggle.