NIMASA Sets to Train 450 Dockworkers, As MWUN Endorse Adeyanju for 2nd Term Election

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By DAPO OLAWUNI

Fresh indications have emerged that the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) would kick-start the training of about 450 dockworkers across all seaports in Nigeria.

This was disclosed by the President General of Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) Comrade Adewale Adeyanju in Lagos on Monday while chatting with newsmen.

This is even as members of the union have endorsed the PG to run for a second term in officer come March 2021.

Dockworkers under the aegis of “Observe Dockworkers” yesterday stormed the union headquarters and bestowed three awards on Adeyanju symbolising his past efforts, the present, and a vote of confidence to continue the good works.

Speaking, Comrade Adeyanju confirmed that, if not for COVID19 and EndSars Protest, the training of the dockworkers ought to have taken place. He however confirmed that the NIMASA training is taking place in this November.

The Observe Dockworkers at MWUN headquarters

“The NIMASA in collaboration with MWUN has rolled out a training programme for dockworkers, about 450 of them are to be trained, I have sent their names to NIMASA, they are starting this month”

“Even the national officers might likely travel also before the year runs out.
We thank the management of NIMASA for coming out to say that they need to start the training of dockworkers in all fields of operations.
The names of dockworkers have been forwarded to NIMASA”

“They are also working on that of the seafarers, it would happen soon” he confirmed

While speaking on Comrade Adeyanju’s performance in office and the need for a 2nd term, the National Treasurer of MWUN, Comrade Uche Igweonu said the second term for Adeyanju is not in contest.

Igweonu, who is the immediate past president of the shipping branch of MWUN, told journalists that “The issue of second term is not in contest, there is no need for any solidarity because it is a done deal”

“Right from the day one, we have that antecedent, it is a done deal, we dont have any contest come March 2021 except those who are leaving office naturally”

Convener of the Observe Dockworkers who came out in numbers to express solidarity for the MWUN PG, Comrade Babajide Alfred, said the workers are endorsing the MWUN boss for continuity, even as they honoured him with three awards.

Comrade Alfred said that dockworkers at Nigerian ports today have evolved and that was why they stood their grounds and refused to participate in the recent ENDSARS Protests.

Speaking he said, “When a good king rules, the people rejoice, we have the man at the helm of affairs whom we tested and trusted and we know that one tenure is not enough for him to complete his good works, he has been from the grassroot, he has the experience, he has the capability, and he is a man of peace who always preach peace to the sector”

“If not because of that peace, during this ENDSARS protest, we know what dockworkers use to do, they would have joined, but he has made us to understand that you cannot throw stone into your glass house”

“In those days, there was no enlightenment, somebody can just come and insight you, and before you know it, the workers would start protesting, but this time around, we stood our grounds to say, this is where we work, most of the organisations that were burnt, the workers are now suffering it, if we had joined them, we too would be suffering”

“Today, we are giving him three awards, the past, the present and the future awards, its not just a vote of confidence, it is for continuity.
In area of achievement, he has worked on their welfare, training and retraining of dockworkers” he said

Comrade Alfred noted that when Adeyanju was dockworkers President, it was during his tenure that some dockworkers had their passport and were able to travel out for training for the first time.

“Now the terminal operators are looking inwards to make use of our dockworkers.
The honor supposed to have come as the best dockworkers president from 2009 to 2017.

The remaining too awards were confered on him for maintenance of peace in the maritime sector, and an award of excellence.

Responding, the MWUN PG said the award is not for him alone, but that it is for all his executives at National and Branch officers of MWUN, adding that he couldn’t have gotten the job done without their support.

He appreciated the dockworkers for not allowing themselves to be used during the EndSars protest, even as he condemned the burning of the headquarters of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA)

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