I must begin by saying that the theme for  this year's anniversary-Dynamic Labour Leadership-Fuelling the economy is timely and insightful. However, I became close to Pengassan and National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) when we jointly waged the battle for the restoration of democracy in Nigeria. I can say, without any fear or contradiction, that both unions gave impetus to the titanic struggle against one of the most corrupt military regimes  that ruled any country in Africa.