MWUN PG Hosts Oduntan, Pledge Support for ANLCA

BY GBOGBOWA GBOWA

R-L: Comrade Adewale Adeyanju, President General of MWUN, Hajia Bola Muse, National Treasurer of ANLCA, Olumide Fakanlu, National Secretary of ANLCA and Prince Segun Oduntan, Vice President of ANLCA during a visit to MWUN on Wednesday

The national leadership of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has declared support for the newly elected National Executive Committee (NECOM) of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), saying it is their desire to work closely with the new leadership of the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA).

President of MWUN, Dr. Adewale Adeyanju dropped above hint when the new leadership of ANLCA led by its Vice President, Prince Segun Oduntan paid him a working visit at the union’s secretariat in Lagos, recently.

Comrade Adeyanju noted that clearing agents and their body corporate is important segment of the national port economy and explained that without them, there would be no cargo for dockworkers which constitute bulk of the union, to offload.

While congratulating the newly elected ANLCA leadership, the MWUN President General urged them to borrow a leaf from MWUN on scientific unionism, adding that the era of fighting and thuggery at the port is over.

“It is a new dawn in ANLCA, for the elders to have harmonised and elected the new executives. We in MWUN, our door is always open for collaboration. There are areas we can sit down and work on, together.

He said, “Most of the government anti-people policies that is affecting the clearing agents, when we have a very solid collaboration, we would be able to fight them. We are ready to give ANLCA that needed support. Whatever anti-masses and anti-union policies the government is introducing, our own is to maximize dialogue and if it fails shutdown the port on your behalf. I want to assure you that our door is open, soonest, let us sign a MoU.”

The maritime union leader advised the new NECOM not to see their victory as a winner takes all, and to also remember the efforts of past leaders and be mindful of reaching out for consultation and advice.

Speaking earlier, ANLCA Vice President, Prince Segun Oduntan described the visit as a necessary homage to the MWUN President General whom he described as an exciting leader who despite his delicate calling as a unionist is able to achieve a delicate balancing by also, often demonstrating very peaceful and nationalistic outlook.

“I sought my President’s permission to be here today, l believe that when he comes back from Port Harcourt, he would come and see you properly.

“I took it as a point of duty to be here because of what we share in the industry, you are a father in the maritime Industry, I have studied you from a distance and your leadership style, I want to follow in your steps.

“One point about our coming today is for collaboration, what I see in you is that you are a man of peace, you always want things to be done properly”

The ANLCA Vice President lamented that the port economy is in dire strait because of insensitive and unwarranted policies of the federal government, adding that there is need for all stakeholders to be on the same page to surmount the challenges.

“We pledge our loyalty and we want to work with you, we want an environment of peace where we can collaborate. When we have constant communication, nobody would take advantage of us in the port to foment economic crisis.”

Exco members on the entourage of the Vice President includes the National Treasurer, Hajia Bola Muse, National Secretary, Olumide Fakunle, Comrade Sewa Soleji, Chairman KLT Chapter and others.