A NEW SHERIFF IN TOWN: Comrade Francis Bunu Takes Over As President General of MWUN

—As Minister Oyetola, NIMASA DG, Mobereola, Others Bid Comrade Adeyanju Farewell Amidst Pump

—Union Rakes Over N52Million At Book Unveiling

By DAPO OLAWUNI

There is a new Sheriff in Town at the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) in person of Comrade Francis Bunu Abi, who officially emerged President General of the union at an election that took place late on Tuesday night at the Union’s 6th Delegates Conference held in Lagos.

Bunu, who until his emergence as President General was the Deputy President General of the Union, made history by emerging unopposed in the election.

Bunu succeeds Comrade Adewale Adeyanju, whose eight year tenure as President General ends Friday, March 28.

Born on November 20th, 1975, in Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State, Comrade Bunu has been a prominent figure within the MWUN leadership, serving as the Deputy President General since 2021.

Prior to this, he served two terms as the President of the Seafarer branch of MWUN, beginning in 2013.

A seasoned seafarer with over 24 years of experience, Bunu has worked onboard various vessels both within Nigeria and internationally.

The election of Bunu also saw the emergence of other new national officers who will serve alongside him for the next four years.

They include: Comrade Robert Eze – National Auditor, Obidoma David. -National Trustee, Raji Abdulateef – National Trustee, Mukhaila Lawal – Treasurer and Boniface Udoh -Vice President.

Others are Martina Njoku – Vice President, Ibrahim Ohize – Vice President, Ganiu Dosunmu – Vice President, Funmi Fasan – Deputy President, Taofeek Dahiru – Deputy President, and Abubakar Bello – Deputy President.

In his acceptance speech, Bunu expressed gratitude to the Union for the faith and confidence reposed in him having been elected unopposed.

He thanked his predecessor, Comrade Adeyanju for being instrumental to his emergence and members of the Union for the peace and unity that existed all through the electioneering campaign.

The new President General called on industry stakeholders to collaborate with the Union to take it to even greater heights and sustain the legacies recorded by the Union under Adeyanju.

Bunu also announced Adeyanju as the new Board of Trustees ( BoT) of MWUN in line with the union’s Constitution.

Earlier, stakeholders gathered to shower accolades on the former President General, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju. The event which was attended by the creme-de-la-creme of the maritime industry also saw the presentation of awards to deserving maritime operators who had worked and supported the union in the past eight years.

The event was graced by maritime industry bigwigs including the Minister Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Olufemi Oloruntola, Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Dr Dayo Mobereola, the Chairperson of ENL Terminal, Olori Vicky Haastrup, represented by Mr Mark Walsh, The President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Comrade Joe Ajaero.

Also in attendance were; Secretary, International Transport Workers Federation, ITF, Africa Region, Mohammed Safiyano, representatives of the Executive Governor of Kebbi State and Delta State Government, National President of Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) Emenike Nwokeoji and former President of the Association, Prince Olayiwola Shittu, President of Stevedores Association, Bolaji Sunmola, President of Barge Operators Association of Nigeria (BOAN) Bunmi Olumekun among others.

The other highpoint of the grand event was the unveiling of a book by the union titled; The History of Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, 1996-2024, where the union raked-in over N52 Million support.

Speaking, the outgone President General, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju took s reflection of his last eight years in office, even as he acknowledged that the journey had not been easy.

“However, I am proud to announce that we have kept our promises and oaths, despite being faced with hurdles that seemed undefeatable. I dare say we were able to do this with support from government, our members, and various management/stakeholders. For this, we are grateful, and it is to the gift of you all who solidly stood by my side that I owe my deepest appreciation” he said

Adeyanju called on members from the four branches of MWUN to work closely with his successor, urging the new national executives to imbibe and cultivate the spirit of team work.

According to him, Comrade Francis Bunu’s administration has what it takes to surpass the past administration, considering the caliber of personalities in the new executives.

He affirmed that continuity should be the watchword under the new administration,while appealing for the executives from the units, districts ,branch and national across the four branches to respect the leadership of Comrade Bunu.

He described Bunu as a son, friend and brother that has the capacity to perform, even as the appealed to the union members to accord him that respect.