By John Alechenu
The leadership of the Labour Party, LP, has expressed sadness over the death of General Secretary of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Comrade Emmanuel Ugboaja, who passed away recently at the age of 60.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Ken Asogwa, the party described Ugboaja as “a strong unionist, a committed democrat and a pillar of support to the current leadership of the Labour Party.”
The statement further said, “His death leaves a painful void not only in the Labour movement but also in the Labour Party family.”
The party noted that Ugboaja played a pivotal role in fostering the relationship between the Labour Party and the organised labour movement, particularly the NLC. He also contributed actively to meetings and deliberations that led to the birth of the Party’s new Constitution.
“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,” it added.
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. He later served as Deputy National Secretary of the Party and National Secretary of the NLC Political Commission.
Beyond party politics, Ugboaja was active in Nigeria’s democratic struggles. He served in the National Constitutional Reform Conferences of 2005 and 2014 and was a Director of the Alliance for Credible Elections.
Between 2007 and 2010, he championed a national campaign for electoral reforms that contributed to the establishment of the Justice Uwais Electoral Reform Committee by the late 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,” the party stated.
The Labour Party extended heartfelt condolences to the NLC leadership and membership, the organised labour movement, his colleagues, friends, associates, and his immediate family.
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