Tribute: NLC, NULGE, LGSC Remember Comrade Ofoeyeno

Okonta Emeka Okelum, Asaba

The leadership of the Delta State Chapters of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC); Nigeria Union Of Local Government Employees (NULGE) and Local Government Service Commission paid tribute to one of their own.

Yesterday, at the valedictory session organised by the above labour groups at Asaba, extolled the leadership qualities that distinguished Late Comrade David Oritsemeyiwa Ofoeyeno.

The departed labour leader was until his death, the chairman, Delta State Council, Nigeria Labour Congress and President, Delta State Chapter, Nigeria Union Of Local Government Employees (NULGE).

Sharing his opening remarks at the event, Comrade Ezeko Okodia, acting president NULGE, Delta State Chapter, thanked all for the large turnout.

It is unfortunate that we lost Comrade Ofoeyeno when we needed him the most, though he never lived long enough to finish the struggle and great ideas he started, but for us here, the legacies he believed in will surely live on.

I enjoin you all to be with us these following days as we perform the remaining funeral activities for our departed leader and comrade, Comrade Okodia said.

Speaking on behalf of the NLC, Comrade Innocent Ofuonyeadi, the congress’s state secretary, noted that with the demise of Comrade Ofoeyeno, NULGE is worst hit and called upon the union’s leadership to bear the irreparable loss.

Comrade David Oritsemeyiwa Ofoeyeno invested too much into unionism and workers’s welfare and never tolerated the least insult advanced against any NULGE member or executive, Comrade Ofuonyeadi pointed out.

Other leaders from both the NLC and NULGE drawn from both the state and LGA branches shared wonderful remarks about the man DAVID they know.

Comrade David Ofoeyeno, according to leaders at the valedictory session, shared that the Comrade Leader was known for his never-say-die agitation and support for women empowerment, widowhood support initiatives and creating opportunities for more women to occupy leadership positions and play active key roles within the governance structure of NULGE, NLC and council administration.

Comrade Justin Okonta rendered to the gathering a poetic piece for the departed labour leader and comrades mentor.

To a lot of those who spoke at the function, Comrade Ofoeyeno was like a father, leader, mentor, courageous defender of workers’s welfare.

Some of the workers welfare initiatives, the departed labour leader initiated till now still has lasting impression upon those who benefited from them, as each took turn to share how those ideas positively impacted upon them.

For Comrade Olumami .O. Oyibo, Chairman, Delta State Local Government Service Commission and predecessor of the departed labour leaders, not enough words were adequate to express how he felt about the loss of his dear compatriot and partner in the struggle at enthroning better workers’s welfare.

Of a truth, during my stay in office as NULGE state president, I did try to accomplish some milestone achievements, but Comrade Ofoeyeno’s tenure recorded far more results and accomplishments than my tenure, Comrade Oyibo noted.

Reading from the last book of Romans in the Bible, Comrade Oyibo cautioned his fellow comrades to be wary of those who will subtly approach them with sweet words and crafty devices, whose sole intent & mission is their belly.

These folks Comrade Oyibo instructed labour leaders to avoid at all cost.

I thank God for the life Comrade Ofoeyeno lived, it was highly impactful and he touched many lives, I call upon the union’s leadership to sustain and preserve the unity of this union.

This I know will give Comrade Ofoeyeno all the best of rest his soul deserves, as this was the cause he charted while alive, Comrade Oyibo said.