By Victor Ahiuma-Young

IT was a gathering of “Who is who” in the nation’s Maritime sector and Labour movement few days ago when members of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, MWUN, gathered in Lagos, at the Union’s 6th Quadrennial National Delegates’ Conference, NDC, to elect a new team to run the affairs of MWUN for the next four years.

Among dignitaries at the event that climaxed in the emergence of Francis Bunu as the new President-General, PG, of MWUN, were President of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Joe Ajaero, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Olufemi Oloruntola, Director-General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Dr Dayo Mobereola, the Chairperson of ENL Terminal, Olori Vicky Haastrup, represented by Mr. Mark Walsh, Secretary, International Transport Workers Federation, ITF, Africa Region, Mohammed Safiyano, representatives of the Executive Governor of Kebbi State and Delta State Government.

Also in attendance were National President of Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents, ANLCA, Emenike Nwokeoji and former President of the Association, Prince Olayiwola Shittu, President of Stevedores Association, Bolaji Sunmola, and President of Barge Operators Association of Nigeria, BOAN, Bunmi Olumekun among others.

Bunu, who until his emergence as President-General was a Deputy President-General of the Union, became the first PG of the Union to be elected unopposed.

He succeeds Prince Adewale Adeyanju, after eight years eventful tenure as President-General.

In his short acceptance speech, the new PG gave insight into his bold agenda calling  on stakeholders to collaborate with the Union for a mutually beneficial relationship.

According to him: “We will work with stakeholders to take the Union and the Maritime sector to greater heights for a mutually beneficial relationship. We will work with everyone, we will work with government agencies and others to better the lots of our members and others.”

He expressed gratitude to the Union for the faith and confidence reposed in him having been elected unopposed.

Bunu also praised his predecessor, Prince Adeyanju for ensuring his emergence and members of the Union for the peace and unity that existed all through the electioneering campaign.

Bunu equally announced Adeyanju as the new Board of Trustees, BoT member, of MWUN in line with the union’s Constitution.

  Earlier, stakeholders gathered to shower accolades on the former President-General, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju. The event which was attended by the creme-de-la-creme of the Maritime industry also saw the presentation of awards to deserving maritime operators who had worked and supported the union in the past eight years.

Addressing the outgoing leadership of MWUN under Prince Adewale Adeyanju, who incidentally is a deputy President of NLC, Joe Ajaero said: “Prince Adewale Adeyanju is also serving with distinction as the Deputy President of the Nigeria Labour Congress. Comrade Adeyanju, your leadership of the great workers of the Maritime industry over the past eight years has been nothing short of exemplary. You have steered the MWUN with wisdom, courage, and an unyielding commitment to the principles of trade unionism. Under your guidance, the MWUN has not only grown in strength but has also become a beacon of hope and resilience for workers across Nigeria and beyond. You are going to be handing over a union that is stronger, more united, and better positioned to face the challenges of the future than the one you inherited. 

“The achievements of the outgoing leadership are a testament to what is possible when we stand together in solidarity. The MWUN has been at the forefront of the struggle for workers’ rights in the Maritime sector, a sector that remains the lifeblood of Nigeria’s economy.  From the docks to the high seas, your union has fought tirelessly to ensure that the rights and welfare of Maritime workers are protected. You have stood firm against exploitation, injustice, and the forces of capital that seek to undermine the dignity of labour. Your victories are not just your own; they are victories for the entire working class in Nigeria and much more, they are victories for the Nigeria Labour Congress.”

Also speaking, Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi State, among others said: “Over the years, the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, (MWUN) has weathered the storm, in its quest to enhance decent work and bequeath better welfare for members, especially under the outgoing President- General and Peoples’ Comrade, Adewale Adeyanju, my friend and brother in the struggle for a better Nigeria. If I start talking about the impact of his leadership over the last eight years, we may have to stay here longer than expected, but let me speak to one which I think is prominent from my outsider’s perspective, which is the hosting of this National Delegates’ Conference, NDC, in Lagos. He did it before and has done it again, which was not possible for many years before he rose to the leadership of this union, because of power tussle and the use of violence as a tool for dispute resolution. Comrade Adeyanju has institutionalised the International Labour Standards, (ILS) of the International Labour Organisation, (ILO) and our own Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, as the tools for dispute resolution and peace has returned and has come to stay in this great Union.

As a trade unionist myself, I will admonish the incoming administration to also identify areas where they can make sustainable impact in the Union and the Maritime industry at large, to make trade unionism very attractive for young Maritime workers and beyond.

New leaders

Meanwhile, the new leadership of MWUN is headed by Francis Bunu.

Bunu, who until his emergence as President-General, was the Deputy President-General of the Union, made history by emerging unopposed in the election.

.Bunu succeeds Comrade Adewale Adeyanju, whose eight-year tenure as President-General ended on Friday, March 28.

Born on November 20, 1975, in Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State, Bunu has been a known figure within the MWUN leadership, serving as the Deputy President-General since 2021. Prior to this, he served two terms as the President of the Seafarers branch of MWUN, beginning in 2013. A seasoned seafarer with over 24 years of experience, Bunu has worked onboard various vessels both within Nigeria and internationally.

Elected alongside Bunu also were Funmi Fasan, (Deputy President), Taofeek Dahiru (Deputy President), Abubakar Bello (Deputy President), Martina Njoku (Vice-President), Ibrahim Ohize (Vice-President), Ganiu Dosunmu (Vice-President), Robert Eze (National Auditor), Obidoma David (National Trustee), Raji Abdulateef (National Trustee), Mukhaila Lawal (Treasurer) and Boniface Udoh (Vice-President)