Comrade Adeyanju Honored as NIMASA 2024 Man of the Year

By DAPO OLAWUNI

Comrade Adeyanju Adewale, the dynamic President General of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), has been honored with the prestigious NIMASA Man of the Year Award at the 2024 Day of the Dockworkers celebration. The event took place at the NPA Sports Ground in Surulere, Lagos.

The award, presented by Mr. Jubril Abba, Executive Director of Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services, recognizes Comrade Adeyanju’s exceptional leadership and his transformative contributions to the growth and success of MWUN. His remarkable achievements as the union’s President General have earned him widespread acclaim in the maritime sector.

The accolade highlights Adeyanju’s commitment to advancing the welfare of maritime workers and fostering development within the industry. It serves as a testament to his tireless efforts in driving positive change and progress within MWUN and the maritime community at large.

Comrade Adeyanju also doubles as the Deputy President of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC).

THE MAN ADEYANJU

Comrade Adewale Adeyanju was first elected into office as the President General of Maritime Workers Union (MWUN) in March 2017 during the union’s 4th Quadrennial Delegates Conference held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, after securing a landslide victory against his opponent and former Deputy President-General of the union, Comrade Dahiru Talle Abubakar

He is largely regarded by stakeholders as a man of peace, even as he has introduced scientific unionism into the Nigerian maritime sector.
Under Adeyanju, the Nigerian port system has been peaceful, the era of banging tables, thuggery and incessant labour strikes has been eradicated, thereby leading to increase in productivity for terminal operators and the Federal Government.
Comrade Adeyanju is also a welfare man, and a humanitarian by heart. One of his greatest achievements is the priority he placed on his members welfare and their wellbeing.
He secured and signed mouthwatering Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBA) for the four branches of the Union, especially the recent N200,000 monthly salary for shipping workers, at a time that. Nigeria is struggling to pay N70,000 minimum wage for workers.

He has equally placed priority on training and retraining of dockworkers and other members of the union.
Comrade Adeyanju brought diversification into the finances of the union by setting up a haulage business unit of MWUN. With this, the union now run its own trucks and generate revenue to further improve the welfare of members.

His humanitarian activities is not limited to MWUN members alone, he has rendered great support to the media and friends in the industry.

In 2023, the labour leader launched his NGO called ; Prince Adewale Adeyanju Foundation (PAAF) where he has been donating school supplies and items to primary and secondary school pupils.
He also carried out rehabilitation of old people’s homes in Yaba Lagos.
Since that time, he has been doing this to mark his birthday on every October 1st.
The PAAF at various times undertake humanitarian activities including medical outreach for the elderly and less privileged, where hundreds of people have since benefitted and attended to.

Comrade Adeyanju is God-fearing, he is kindhearted and no matter the financial challenges brought before him, he shows genuine interest in solving them.