Bunu Inaugurates Bolaji Agboola as Dockworkers President, Reads Riot Act to Incoming District, Unit Chairmen

The President General of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Comrade Francis Bunu has issued a stern warning to aspiring candidates in the union’s upcoming district and unit elections to prioritize workers’ welfare over personal gain or face disqualification.

Bunu gave the warning on Monday during the inauguration of the newly elected executives of the Dockworkers Branch, led by President Bolaji Agboola, at the branch headquarters in Lagos.

The MWUN PG emphasized that leadership positions within the union are meant for service and not self-enrichment.

“Position is to serve and not to betray workers. Anyone who tries to occupy position to enrich himself will be screened out,” he said.

Bunu urged workers to elect leaders who will genuinely protect their interests, not those with “anti-worker” tendencies.

He said, “The branch elections are gone and the next is district, and I can see people jumping around holding meetings.

“If you cannot work for dockworkers, if you will not be sincere to the system, we will not give you the office.

“All unit, district, and branch leaders must operate strictly in line with the union’s constitution.

“A leader must protect his members, not pocket. We will not use dockworkers branch to do experiment again, the time has gone.

“If you know you want to become a district chairman to enrich your pocket, you don’t have a place in the position.
This time around, if you know you won’t carry us along and have the interest of the union at heart, don’t aspire for the position because we will screen you out.”

Bunu tasked the new dockworkers branch executive to prioritize workers’ welfare and avoid any form of betrayal for personal gains.

Describing the new dockworkers branch president as a selfless leader, Bunu urged members to accord him due respect.

“Anybody that respects you, respects my office, and if you disrespect him, it means you disrespect my office, and if you disrespect my office, it means you disrespect the Union,” Bunu said.

The MWUN PG commended the dockworkers for their maturity during the recently concluded branch election, noting its peaceful conduct.

“I have experienced a rancor-free dockworkers branch election. You have set the pace for other branches,” he said.

In her remarks, Deputy Vice President, Comrade Funmi Fasan lauded the dockworkers, encouraging them to maintain the existing unity and bond among members.

Outgone Dockworkers President, Comrade Ibrahim Ohize, who officially handed over to the new president, urged him to manage the branch effectively.

He expressed gratitude to his outgone executives, district, units, and members for the successful handover.

Ohize reminded Agboola, the seventh branch president to be elected, not to succumb to rumors but to embrace his new leadership role.

“Be yourself and don’t listen to rumor. There is no caucus in the dockworkers branch. All caucuses belong to you. All that contested with you, you must carry them along. Also, choose for yourself those that you know will work for you; don’t let anyone select for you as their loyalty will be to the one who selected them,” he advised.

In his response, Comrade Agboola pledged not to disappoint members, promising to prioritise workers’ welfare and protect their interests.