The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Ondo state Council, today elected Comrade Ademola Adeniji Olapade of NCSU, after his lone opponent, Comrade Akinyemi Olatunbosun of NULGE, stepped down from the race.
Olatunbosun took the decision today during the election to fill the vacant position of the NLC Chairman held today at the Congress State Secretariat, Ondo road, Akure.
Olatunbosun who us the NLC Vice Chairman, said he took the decision for the progress of labour movement in the state and to protect the state workers.
The Bye-election followed the retirement of Comrade Victor Amoko of NUT from the public service 8months ago.
The NLC Returning officer from Abuja, Comrade Mike Olarenwaju administered oath of office on Olapade, while Ondo State NUJ Chairman, Prince Leke Adegbite chaired the Electoral Committee that conducted the exercise.
The election was witnessed by the Representative of the State Head of Service, Mr Sunday Omirin and the Controller of the Federal Ministry of Labour & Employment, Mrs Olanike Mogboruko as well as Labour leaders from the Southwest states.
Ademola who appreciate Olatunbosun for his uncommon decision, declared that “NLC and labour movement are back in Ondo State.”
However, in a dramatic twist, Olapade was declared winner on Friday at the NLC Secretariat, Ondo road, Akure after his lone opponent, Comrade Akinyemi Olatunbosun of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), stepped down from the race.
Olatunbosun who is the state NLC Vice Chairman, said he took the decision for the overall progress of labour movement in the state and to protect the state workers
In his acceptance speech, the elected NLC Chairman appreciated the determination and doggedness of his opponent for stepping down for him.
Ademola who vowed that he would work for enhanced welfare packages for workers in the sunshine state said he consider his election as a crucial responsibility of representing and advocating for the welfare of the hardworking labour force in the coastal state.
“I can assure you that Ondo State NLC is fully back. NLC will continue to triumph in Ondo State”, Ademola declared.
The NLC Returning officer and General Secretary of the National Union of Food Beverage and Tobacco Employees (NUFBTE), Comrade Mike Olarenwaju who administered oath of office on Olapade, described the election as free fair and transparent.
“The election and outcome was lovely because what we witnessed when I came in the morning was fear. There was tension but the leaders have shown their sense of purpose and they have displayed it and they have proven that they know that service is to the people and not to the individual self.
“So I am highly impressed that the workers of state with the labour leaders have shown to the world that there is unity in labour movement in the state as it applicable in Nigeria Labour Congress nationally.”
The State Head of Service, Bayo Philips, represented by Mr Sunday Omirin and the Controller of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Mrs Olanike Mogboruko as well as Labour leaders from the Southwest states charged the new Chairman to run a transparent and all-inclusive administration.
Particularly, Omirin said “My humble advice to the new chairman is to run a transparent and inclusive administration. He should embark on absolute and unhindered reconciliation of every members. He should bring them together. He should make sure that he prioritize the interest and the welfare of workers in Ondo State.”
