……As Comrade Asogwa advices new executives to dialogue in pursuit of workers’ welfare
Enugu state council of the Trade Union Congress ( TUC) has elected new executives with Comrade Ejikeme Akaeme, as chairman to run the affairs of the union for the next four years. Comrade Akaeme succeeded Comrade Ben Asogwa ,who has served for six years having completed two terms .
Comrade Ben Asogwa, immediate past chairman and new Ex-officio, TUC, Enugu state council delivering his speech.
Speaking at the 1st Quadrennial State Delegate Conference of the union,held Thursday in Enugu, the immediate past chairman, Comrade Asogwa, gave an account of his stewardship..He appreciated the members for their support and the state government for the cordial relationship that existed between the TUC and the state government.
Comrade Ben Asogwa, immediate past TUC Enugu council chairman and new TUC Ex- Officio.
Comrade Asogwa ,who was elected Ex- Officio , said it wasn’t easy when they took over in 2019 but by the grace of God,, team work and dialogue with the state government , workers and other stakeholders , they were able to succeed.
He said their tenure ship was moved from three years to four years , starting with the new Executives. .
Highlighting some of their achievements, Comrade Asogwa said it wasn’t easy but they were able to represent as much as they could .
He said the union had no building of its own when they assumed office. but today by the grace of God ,they have a secretariat under construction. He adviced the newly elected Executives to maintain peace , work as a team, and use dialogue to achieve their goals..
,Comrade Ben Asogwa.
His words:
“We are happy because we have survived these years in good faith, and we have done everything within our capacity to protect the interests of workers of Enugu state.. We are happy within ourselves, deep down in our hearts, that we never betrayed the interests of workers.
The new Executives being presented to the Congress.
“We also appreciate the workers for giving us that mandate, and imposing their confidence on us.Out of thousands of members of TUC in the States, you singled us out and gave us that mandate to lead you and I stayed as the Chairman of Trade Union Congress of Nigeria from 2019 till today, six years. I finished the first tenure three years ago, and started the second tenure
“Today, it has ended. and we are going to enter into what we now call quadrennial tenure. Our leadership is now moving from three years to four years.And for these years, we can account for ourselves and say that though it wasn’t easy,we did not come out of the pit without scoring goals. We were able to represent as much as we could. Maybe we didn’t do everything we were supposed to do, but we were never sleeping
The new Executives being sworn- in
.”We were on our toes. and God gave us the grace to do as much as He allowed us to do. When we entered, we didn’t have any place to say that this is our permanent office to be.But today, we thank God that though that building has not been completed, but we were able to secure a place through the state governments, and also to put that place up to daking level.
“It has a big hall and two offices downstairs and by the time it is completed, there will be numerous offices in that structure. Itis located at the heart of the town and we appreciate the state governments for extending their magnanimity. We also appreciate the present governor for his kind gesture towards workers.
Comdrade Asogwa and the newly elected chairman, Comrade Akaeme (R)
“It is not as if we’ve gotten everything, and the governor is a talk and do governor. Everything he said he would do, he did. The words he said he may not do now, we understood him.We did not fight with him. We dialogued with him and he has shown us love and we believe that the love will be better. As we change paths today, we are not exiting from the labour movement, because we are still labour leaders in the state, and also workers.None of us is leaving entirely and we thank God that you did not at any point in time pass a vote of no confidence on us. Not by word or by action.
” We appreciate you for giving us that peaceful atmospher. Our hope and confidence is in the fact that Aluta must continue.And you know quite well that our governor said that tomorrow is here. So our own tomorrow is also here.
“We know that those that are coming in today will cover more miles than we did. Trade Union Congress of Nigeria cannot go backwards.We must move forward. And we have that confidence that tomorrow is going to be better than our yesterday.
Therefore, I encourage us to do this, our delegate conference, and elect our leaders peacefully. Everyone has always been known for being peaceful when it comes to TUC elections. And today will not be an exception.
*So my people, I don’t know if I’m giving valedictory speech, but I’m telling you that it has been a good thing.It has been a joyful thing, standing as your leader for this period of time. I have nothing to regret.because I worked with people that see themselves as brothers, that see themselves as sisters
“.The way forward is the way forward. That we preserve our congress is not just a word. We live it out and I pray that we keep it”,Asogwa said.
Commissioner for labour and productivity, Hon. Nnamani making a speech., Comrade Asogwa( L)
“”In his remarks, the commissioner for labour and productivity, Hon Felix Nnamani, thanked Comrade Asogwa for his good works as the union leader.He said from the account of stewardship the past immediate chairman, Comrade Asogwa gave, it showed that TUC was organised and that Comrade Asogwa , he could be” likened to be a product of tomorrow is here. He said governor Mbah had laid all the foundations for them , touching all sectors.
The Commissioner applauded Governor Mbah on his successful presentation of the 2026 appropriation bill and his good governance in the state . He urged workers to be focused and ambitious , do the much they could and leave the rest to God.
With the Congress drawn to a close, the Chairman of the electoral committee and former TUC chairman, Comrade Dr. Igbokwe Joe Igbokwe called for a motion for the dissolution of the executives. Comrade Christian Ani moved the motion for the dissolution of the executive while Nwankwo Osinachi supported it.
Comrade Dr. Igbokwe, former chairman TUC and immediate past Ex- Officio, TUC, Enugu
Comrade Igbokwe said the TUC had Eleven positions and all the positions were Unopposed He urged the new Executives to work as a team and to work for the workers, saying, “all your primary assignment is to negotiate better service for the workers of Enugu state
The new Executives are Comrade Ejikeme Akaeme – Chairman, Comrade Ngozi Nnoli- Vice Chairman, Comrade Nwobodo Chukwudi – secretary, Comrade Chioke Clement _Assistant secretary , Financial secretary – Solomon Ozoemena, Treasurer – Nnaji Ikechukwu, Auditor- Comrade Enwerem Alexander,, Public Relations Officer-Comrade Eze Vincent,.C.
In his inaugural speech, the newly elected chairman, Comrade Ejikeme Akaeme attributed his emergence to “God’s favour.”, saying, ” if it were by contention maybe, I would not have got it.” He prayed God to grant him the grace to do well.
New chairman,Comrade Akaeme
Comrade Akaeme called for support of all members, saying,” together,we will win. It is only God that made the day a reality”.
Urging for cooperation, he said to the members ,” I can only be chairman if you are workers. I can only lead if we can follow. If we are not going to do it with sincerity of purpose , I will drop it , but if you say we are going to do it , we will work together. We are going to make the struggle by negotiation .We have a God in Enugu state, that same God will be our bedrock. We will not fail..” ,he said.
Goodwill messages were presented by the representative of the Head of Service, Mazi Chukwudi Nweke and the representative of the Nigerian Labour Congress( ,Mrs Rose Oguna..
The TUC ,Enugu state Council has 15- workers unions under it.
