The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, has a new president he is Quadri Olaleye.
Quadri Olaleye, of Food Beverage and Tobacco Senior Staff Association, FOBTOB, was elected at the weekend as the new President of TUC, taking over from Bobboi Kaigama, of Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria, ASCSN. Kaigama served for two terms from 2013 to 2019. Olaleye will head a 14-member National Administrative Council, NAC, of the body, elected to run the affairs of the umbrella for senior staff associations for the next three years.
The FOBTOB president emerged after a consensus was reached at the end of the 11th Triennial Delegates Conference in Abuja. Late President of Petroleum and Natural Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN, Francis Olabode Johnson, was rumored to succeed Kiagama before his sudden demise on May 31 at the Abuja National Hospital.
In his acceptance speech, Olaleye, said “This is the first time my association would clinch the position of the President of the Congress, in more than four decades of its existence. I am grateful for the trust you have bestowed on me by being mindful of my sacrifices and that of my predecessors in the struggle for a better Trade Union Congress of Nigeria.
“Fellow Comrades, this opportunity came as a surprise to me after we have conceded for peace to reign. Indeed, it is God ordained. What we are witnessing today is more than just a change of baton; it is also a call to service. Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, by this election, has just fulfilled the aspirations of the founding fathers of my great union -FOBTOB and has also chosen to reaffirm the confidence we have in the current leadership of this great Congress.”
He sought
the co-operation of workers and Nigerians to achieve a country everyone would
be proud of. While promising to speak the truth to government at all levels, he
sought for cooperation and contribution of everyone to build a Labour movement
for posterity. The new president assured members that he would dedicate himself
to ensure that the challenges workers face was confronted headlong. He paid
glowing tribute to late Johnson, pledging that his struggle would not be in
vein. Among others elected alongside Olaleye included Innocent Bola Audu of Association
of Civil Servants of Nigeria, ASCSN, as 1st Deputy President, Oyinkan Olasanoye
of Association of Senior Staff of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions
(ASSBIFI) as 2nd Deputy President; Hygenius Chika Onuegbu of Petroleum and Gas
Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN, as 3rd Deputy President.
