Na so e be, my people! Na for Abuja wey PENGASSAN and NUPRC gather last Sunday to remember one wey don japa since 20 years now – Uche Okoro, labour leader wey dey shine like star. Dem hold am for Transcorp Hilton, and na big wahala of respect dem show for am.
Na Festus Osifo, di PENGASSAN President, wey carry di gist come, yarn say today na celebration of Okoro’s life and wetin he don do for oil and gas workers. He talk say, ‘We dey remember him for wetin he do, di sacrifice wey e make, and how him dey stand up for di welfare of workers. Na our way to salute him and make e family know say we dey with dem, both when him dey alive and when e don go.’
Osifo no carry mouth follow ground as he tok say na di strong leadership wey PENGASSAN get na him make dem dey enjoy wetin dem dey enjoy today. ‘Di things wey workers dey enjoy no be by government or employer kindness, na by wetin we stand for,’ he talk. He make am clear say di leadership fit change but na wetin you do for people go make dem remember you.
He also dey sagga di importance of Collective Bargaining Agreements wey dey help workers get wetin dem deserve. ‘Minimum wage na just di starting point; every sector need to negotiate beta conditions wey go fit our workers skills and experience,’ Na so he conclude.
Peter Esele, one former President of PENGASSAN, come drop tears as e dey speak about di impact of true leadership. ‘I no fit forget wetin PENGASSAN don do for me; na dem I go owe for life. Dis gathering no be wahala, na to celebrate di sacrifices of our leaders dem and remind leaders say service na wetin count,’ he yan.
E no go fit talk without reminding dem say wealth no be di answer; na di legacy wey you leave behind go make people remember you. ‘If you serve well, you go dey in people mind forever.’ Na wetin Esele talk, e carry weight o!
Di NUPRC also drop their tribute wey Eniola Akinkuotu read out, as dem talk say: ‘Okoro na di only person wey don lead both PENGASSAN and di Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, na him leadership skills no fit deny.’ Dem use di opportunity to remind all leaders say true leadership dey based on service, not riches.
As di event dey go on, dem take time reflect on how true leaders like Okoro dey sacrifice for their people; dem push for change wey go benefit workers and citizens alike. Di impact of di Sosoliso plane crash wey take Okoro don dey feel even 20 years later, no be small thing. Na 2005, di plane crashed for Port Harcourt with over 110 passengers, only 2 survivors come out.
Dis one wey we dem do no be just for one person, na to show say principled leadership dey matter, and we go dey dey push for am no matter wetin happen.
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