The leadership of the Labour Party has reacted to the death of Comrade Emmanuel Ugboaja, General Secretary of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, who passed on at the age of 60.
LP described Ugboaja as a strong unionist, a committed democrat and a pillar of support to the current leadership of the party.
It said his death leaves a painful void not only in the labour movement but also in the Labour Party family.
In a statement signed its National Publicity Secretary, Ken Eluma Asogwa, the LP said that Ugboaja played a pivotal role in the enviable relationship that currently exists between the Labour Party and the organised labour movement, particularly the NLC.
“He actively participated and made invaluable contributions to several meetings and deliberations that culminated in the birth of our new party constitution,” the statement said.
It said the the labour movement and the Labour Party family will continue to miss his invaluable contributions to the growth and development of the party, a political platform whose birth he actively participated in.
“Comrade Ugboaja was a member of the National Executive Council (NEC) that approved the formation of the Party for Social Democracy (PSD) in 2003, which later metamorphosed into the Labour Party in 2004. He subsequently rose to become the Deputy National Secretary of the Party and also served as National Secretary of the NLC Political Commission,” it added.
“Beyond his contributions to the Labour movement and the Labour Party, Comrade Ugboaja played several important roles in the struggle for the sustenance and deepening of Nigeria’s democracy, an ideal that places him firmly within the core values and vision of the Labour Party.
“As a member of the defunct National Constitutional Reform Conferences of 2005 and 2014, the nation will continue to remember Comrade Ugboaja’s immense contributions in shaping the final reports of the above two conferences.
“He was also a Director of the Alliance for Credible Elections, where he championed a national campaign between 2007 and 2010 for electoral reforms. The campaign contributed to the process that culminated in the establishment of the Justice Uwais Electoral Reform Committee by the then President, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.
“Comrade 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.
“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.
“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.”
Emmanuel Ugboaja: Labour Party reacts to death of NLC General Secretary