Prof. Igbafen Emerges Chairman, Edo NLC Caretaker Committee
By Simeon OSAJIE
The National secretariat of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), on Thursday morning, inaugurated a five-man Caretaker Committee headed by the Zonal Coordinator of the Benin Zone of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Prof. Monday Lewis Igbafen, as chairman to oversee the affairs of the Edo State council of NLC.
Other members of the Caretaker Committee inaugurated by officials from the National Secretariat of NLC led by Comrade Oluwole Adeleye Sunday include Comrade Ochei Onyebuchi Mike-NUTGTWN, Comrade Orein Charles Uwanle- JUSUN, Comrade Nwaneli Thankgod-MWUN and Comrade Augustine Ekanem-NUCFRLANMPE.
Following the security which was tightened at the venue, the labour leaders from the National Secretariat led by Comrade Sunday Oluwole NCSU President, quickly picked the ASUU Secretariat inside the Ugbowo campus of the University of Benin.
But before Oluwole and other members of his team which include Comrade Roslyn Anara – President of NUPSRAW, Comrade Lawrence Alo – Ag. GS AUCPTRE and Comrade Onyeka Chris could get to UNIBEN, the venue was already leaked to the security agents and the NLC leaders moved to another venue which was one of the secretariat of an affiliate union where the inauguration took place.
Addressing the caretaker committee, Comrade Oluwole urged the Caretaker Committee to resolve all issues and ensure new executives are elected.
In his inaugural speech, the newly sworn-in Chairman of the Caretaker Committee of the State NLC, Prof. Igbafen said that the state NLC would be reformed restore the dignity, welfare and rights of all workers in the state.
He maintained that his Committee would partner with all stakeholders of Labour in the State to resolve all grievances and conflicts that have bedeviled NLC in the State for better service delivery to workers.
“NLC needs to be depoliticized to enable a seamlessly working relationship with every government in power in the State”, he said
Comrade Igbafen appealed to all affiliate unions of NLC in the State to cooperate to bring about the desired solidarity among workers and a progressive and workers-driven leadership through credible election.
Meanwhile, it was observed that operatives of the Nigeria Police Force have sealed off the Edo State secretariat of the Nigeria Labour Congress otherwise known as the Adams Oshiomhole Labour House.
Some suspected thugs were also seen loitering around the secretariat with police armoured personnel carrier deployed to the secretariat.
Similarly, the main gate of the University of Benin was beefed up with police personnel.
The heavy security at the Labour House and the UNIBEN main gate were to bar the inauguration of the Caretaker Committee of the Edo NLC.
Some NLC leaders from neighbouring states, who were scheduled to attend the inauguration, at the Labour House, expressed regret that they could not access the secretariat.
Comrade Augustine Igben from the Maritime Workers Union said he was embarrassed when he was not allowed entry into the Edo Labour House.
“I felt embarrassed about the whole thing. How can the police barricade the Labour House when there is no war? It is a Labour issue. They should allow Labour to settle the issues themselves.
“I was not allowed entry. Where am I going to pass through. There were lots of security. I also saw some civilians mixed up with them” he lamented.
