LP mourns NLC general secretary, recalls role in party’s formation

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The Labour Party on Friday mourned the death of the General Secretary of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Emmanuel Ugboaja, describing him as a committed unionist and democrat who played significant roles in the development of the party and Nigeria’s democratic process.

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Ugboaja, who died recently at the age of 60, was also credited with helping to strengthen the relationship between the Labour Party and the organised labour movement.n

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The party’s condolence was contained in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Ken Asogwa, on Friday.

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Asogwa said Ugboaja was “a strong unionist, committed democrat and pillar of support to the current leadership of the Labour Party,” adding that his death had created “a painful void not only in the Labour movement but also in the Labour Party family.”

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According to him, Ugboaja played a pivotal role in fostering the relationship between the Labour Party and the NLC, particularly through his participation in meetings and deliberations that led to the emergence of the party’s new constitution.

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He said, “He actively participated and made invaluable contributions to several meetings and deliberations that culminated in the birth of our new Party Constitution.”

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The LP also recalled that Ugboaja was a member of the National Executive Council that approved the formation of the Party for Social Democracy in 2003, which later metamorphosed into the Labour Party in 2004.

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He subsequently served as the party’s Deputy National Secretary and National Secretary of the NLC Political Commission.

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Beyond his union and political activities, the Labour Party said Ugboaja was a member of the defunct National Constitutional Reform Conferences of 2005 and 2014, where he made significant contributions to the final reports of the conferences.

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The party said Ugboaja’s contributions to the labour movement, democratic development and Nigeria’s political history would remain part of the country’s collective memory.

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“Ugboaja’s life was therefore one of service to the Labour movement, the democratic cause and the Nigerian nation. His contributions to these causes will remain a part of our collective history and will not be forgotten,” he stated.

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Asogwa extended its condolences to the NLC leadership and members, the wider organised labour movement, Ugboaja’s colleagues, friends and associates, as well as his immediate family.

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“While we mourn this painful and irreparable loss, the Labour Party extends its heartfelt condolences to the leadership and entire membership of the Nigeria Labour Congress, the organised labour movement, his colleagues, friends and associates, and, most importantly, the immediate family he leaves behind.

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“We pray that God Almighty grants eternal rest to his soul and gives his family, the Labour movement and the entire nation the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss,” he added.

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