MWUN Secures Oyetola’s Approval for Establishment of Multipurpose Recreation Centre for seafarers, Dockworkers

—As Comrade Adeyanju Reflects on Achievements in 8-years

By DAPO OLAWUNI

The President General of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) Comrade Adewale Adeyanju has said that the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola has graciously approved the establishment of a Multipurpose Recreation Centre for seafarers and dockworkers in Nigeria.

In an interview with journalists at his office on Friday, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju noted that the union secured a grant from the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) for the project.

According to him, the Union met with the Minister, who has equally directed the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to allocate a land and suitable location for the project to be sited.

Speaking, Comrade Adeyanju said “We have a grant coming from ITF which is the first of its kind in the whole of Africa for establishment of Multipurpose Recreation Centre for seafarers and dockworkers.

“Very soon, we are going to lay the foundation because the Hon. Minister for Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola has graciously approved the need for NIMASA to give us a benefiting land where the grant would be put to use.

“The ITF cannot just give you this kind of opportunity if they don’t believe in what you are doing, they believe in Nigeria and that’s why we met with the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy for the project”

While speaking on his eight years in office as President General of MWUN and his success stories, Comrade Adeyanju described the grant from ITF, as well as Nigeria’s representation on ITF Global as one of his best success stories.

“This is one of my achievements and anytime I remember it, I am always happy, this is because other African countries have been waiting for the grant, but they insist it must be given to Nigeria.

“So, we are just an ambassador representing his country on ITF Global”

Even as the union is prepared to go to the polls in less than three weeks to elect a new President General, Comrade Adeyanju noted that there is an existing harmony that has been created in the union, especially as far as election is concerned.

“Gone are the days when we have five candidates jostling for one position, today we have harmonised it, and we are now rotating the leadership among the four branches.

“This is why election is coming in less than three weeks and you have not heard any fighting or crisis anywhere, we are running scientific unionism.

“Those who have stepped down, it is because of the respect they have for me and they believe in what we are doing, it makes the history of the union to continue” Comrade Adeyanju stated, indicating that after the Seafarers branch ruling as President, the Shipping branch would take the mantle.

Adeyanju stated that moving forward after the election, there is already a blueprint on ground for his successors to follow, and that he would only be playing an advisory role, even as he continues to play his part on ITF Global as Vice President.

He described his anointed candidate, Comrade Francis Bunu as a good administrator who would not betray the workers trust, but defend their welfare.

“The incoming President General would perform more than me, and that’s my prayer. A good leader must have a successor, for the past three years, I have been grooming my successor and he would do more than Adeyanju.

“We would continue to advise where necessary and tell them that the era of thuggery, and bad names is no longer in the history of Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria.

Adeyanju disclosed that he is a fulfilled man leaving office better than he met it because all the four branches of the union now have a condition of service.

“We have changed the condition of service for dockworkers, Shipping branch, Seafarers branch and the NPA branch, which is currently being reviewed again

“We have done well by expanding the scope of the union, both locally and internationally” he said