THE MARITIME Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) on Friday, at its 6th Quadrennial Delegates Conference, elected Comrade Francis Bunu as its new President-General.
Comrade Bunu succeeds Comrade Adewale Adeyanju who bowed out after he completed two terms of eights years.
Bunu, who was elected unopposed, was sworn in at the end of the Conference held in Festac Town, Lagos.
Prior to his election, Bunu was the Deputy President-General of the Union and a member of the Seafarers Branch of the MWUN.
Bunu’s election was historic, being the first time the Seafarers component of MWUN produced the President-General of the union in its 29 years of existence.
In attendance at the conference for solidarity were key stakeholders in the maritime industry, organised trade union and industrial relations sectors as well as public and private operators.
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr. Olufemi Oloruntola represented the Minister, Adegboyega Oyetola.
Others, who attended included the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero; the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola and a representative of the Chairman of the Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria (STOAN), Olori Vicky Haastrup, among others.
Speaking earlier at the conference, Comrade Adeyanju appraised the progress made under his leadership in the last eight years, noting that the union had successfully improved the welfare of maritime workers by securing better salaries and workplace conditions.
He also stated that under his leadership, industrial harmony was strengthened within the sector, leading to fewer labour disputes and strikes.
He added that the union also made significant strides in negotiating with employers and government agencies toward improved working conditions for members, training and capacity-building of members for enhanced skills and career growth while MWUN’s engagement with industry stakeholders increased, giving the union a stronger voice in policy discussions affecting the maritime sector.
Comrade Bunu, in his post-elect address, expressed gratitude to the delegates for their confidence in him and promised to build on the achievements of his predecessor, just as he pledged to prioritize workers’ welfare by advocating for better working conditions and benefits.
