Comrade Francis Bunu has been elected as President General of Maritime Worker’s Union of Nigeria (MWUN), along with a new crop of executives via a seamless electoral process in Lagos, on Friday.
The election was a departure from the chaotic and violent process which has characterised the union’s polls in previous years as the outgoing President General of MWUN, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju emerged as the pioneer Chairman, Board of Trustees (BOT) at the just concluded 6th Quadrennial National Delegates Conference .
MWUN’s new executives include: Comrade Robert Eze – National Auditor; Obidoma David -National Trustee; Raji Abdulateef – National Trustee; Mukhaila Lawal – Treasurer; Boniface Udoh -Vice President; Martina Njoku – Vice President; Ibrahim Ohize – Vice President; Ganiu Dosunmu – Vice President; Funmi Fasan – Deputy President; Taofeek Dahiru – Deputy President; Abubakar Bello – Deputy President; and Francis Bunu – President General.
In his acceptance speech, Bunu called on stakeholders in the maritime industry to collaborate with the union in order to improve the industry’s performance as well as the welfare of workers, even as he assures that the national executives will work harmoniously with the BOT.
He discloded that Comrade Adeyanju has assumed duty as the Chairman, BOT which is in line with the constitution and that any outgoing President General of the union automatically emerges head of the board.
The newly elected President General expressed satisfaction over the industrial peace that existed during the electioneering process, stating that the outgoing President General sterling performance locally and internationally will not be forgotten in a rush.
Also speaking, Adeyanju called on members from the four branches of MWUN to work closely with the new PG , urging the new national executives to imbibe and cultivate the spirit of team work.
According to him, Bunu’s administration has what it takes to surpass past administration considering the caliber of personalities in the new executives.
He affirmed that continuity should be the watchword under the new administration,while appealing for the executives from the units, districts ,branch and national across the four branches to respect the leadership of Comrade Bunu.
While stressing that respect is reciprocal, Adeyanju maintained that the new team has what it takes to surpass the existing legacies achieved so far.
He described Bunu as a son, friend and brother that has the capacity to perform, even as the appealed to the union members to accord him that respect.
Following the successful election, Bunu and others were elected unopposed.
Although the highpoint of the delegates conference was the emergence of the new national executives as declared by the Congress, the event also featured the presenting of awards to distinguished MWUN leaders and partners who have supported the union’s cause over the years.
The event was also graced by several maritime bigwigs including; the Director General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola; former President, Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Prince Olayiwola Shittu; Chairman, Nigerian Ports Consultative Council (NPCC), Mr. Bolaji Sunmola; President, Nigerian Association of Master Mariners (NAMM), Capt. Tajudeen Alao; Chairman, Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO), Chief Remi Ogungbemi; among others.
