Adeyanju Issues Scorecard of 8-Years in Office as MWUN PG, Canvasses Stakeholders Support for Successor

—Says Industrial Peace in Maritime Sector his Biggest Achievement

By DAPO OLAWUNI

Comrade Adewale Adeyanju, the outgoing President General of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), held a valedictory press briefing at the union headquarters in Lagos on Friday, outlining his achievements over eight years in office and calling for continued stakeholder support for his successor, Comrade Francis Bunu.

Recall that the union is set for election on Friday 28th, March 2025,and Comrade Francis Bunu have been endorsed by majority of the union members to succeed Adeyanju.

Speaking with journalists, Adeyanju emphasized the establishment of industrial peace within the maritime sector as his most significant accomplishment, highlighting a shift from confrontational tactics to constructive dialogue with employers.

He expressed gratitude to the maritime journalists for their support throughout his tenure.

“I want to thank everybody on behalf of the union for the support so far enjoyed from you,” he stated, acknowledging the media’s role in projecting the union’s positive image and facilitating constructive engagement with stakeholders.

“We cannot be celebrated without the press. Whatever the celebration that everybody is saying about Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria of today, it is from you guys who have contributed to be part of the success story.” he added.

A cornerstone of Adeyanju’s tenure was the negotiation of improved Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) across all four branches of the union: dockworkers, shipping, seafarers, and Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).

He recounted the deplorable conditions faced by dockworkers prior to his administration, describing them as “orphans” subject to arbitrary employment practices.

According to Adeyanju, in the Shipping branch of the union, the introduction of a minimum standard for shipping workers, guaranteeing a minimum take-home pay of N200,000, marked a significant improvement from previous wages as low as N20,000 or N30,000.

Adeyanju also highlighted the union’s success in securing a review of salaries and wages for NPA workers, an issue that had lingered for 18 years.

“We have done that, and so far, progress has been made in all the four branches.” he said.

He acknowledged that while much had been achieved, there was still work to be done, emphasizing the importance of continuity and urging stakeholders to extend the same support to his successor.

Adeyanju also touched on ongoing projects, including the establishment of a multinational recreation center for seafarers and dockworkers, funded by an ITF grant of 500,000 pounds.

He expressed gratitude to the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola for facilitating the acquisition of land for the project. According to him, the Minister has directed the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to look for a good land for the project to kick-off.

Reflecting on the challenges faced during his tenure, Adeyanju identified the contentious Harbour Bill of the NPA as his most significant hurdle.
“It was a challenge. Very, very big, tough decision for me,” he recalled, acknowledging the potential impact of the bill on NPA workers.

He credited the union’s collective effort, including media support and stakeholder engagement, for the bill’s eventual demise.

Looking ahead, Adeyanju expressed confidence in his successor’s ability to build upon the foundation laid during his tenure.
He described the incoming leader, Comrade Francis Bunu as a “seasoned labor activist” who would prioritize the interests of maritime workers.

However, the outgoing President General made it clear that he did not see his successor as a puppet.

“I did not put somebody there to rubber stamp him, the person that put me here, that supported me, never rubber stamped me Or questioned me for any actions that I took.

“As a father, you need to respect yourself, the children we are having today, some of them are digital children, they are not like analog anymore.The three months inside, they are in the belly of their mother, they are already talking of how the economy of this great country is going to look like when they come to the world.

“The person coming in and taking over from me is a seasoned labor activist, he knows his left from his rights, and I believe he won’t disappoint the industry.

“My prayer for him is to do more than me, not me telling him how to run the system. He’s going to have a very good executive that will support him” he said

Ultimately, Adeyanju identified the establishment of industrial peace within the maritime sector as his most cherished achievement.

He emphasized the transformative impact of constructive dialogue and collaboration, contrasting it with the confrontational tactics of the past.