Shipping
NLC Deputy President Adeyanju celebrates seafarers, bemoans plight of aged seafarers
NLC Deputy President Adeyanju celebrates seafarers, bemoans plight of aged seafarers
The Deputy President of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) Comrade (Prince) Dr. Adewale Adeyanju celebrates Seafarers on the occasion of the Day of Seafarers 2026.
Recognizing the day as a date set aside annually for the celebration of Seafarers every June 25, the erstwhile President -General of the Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MWUN) said that this year’s Day Seafarers was a turbulent one, given the crisis in the middle east and the west, resulting to the closure of Strait of Hormuz.
This year’s Day of Seafarers with the theme; “Carrying World Trade. Carrying The Risks”; therefore, the theme depicts as it were, the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, which made sailing difficult and dangerous for Seafarers across the globe.
This year, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) highlighted the challenges faced by Mariners, who navigated through regions affected by international conflicts and insecurity, which of course wasn’t convenient for Seafaring.
This Day of the Seafarers is globally observed each year on the 25 of June; it’s an annual Seafarers ritual, which of course is to celebrate Seafarers in Nigeria and across the world. It gives the opportunity to celebrate and recognize the essential roles of Seafarers in global trade and and risks Seafarers bear in sustaining their profession.
No doubt, Seafarers job is essential to the functioning of the global economy and the daily lives of people across the world.
The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) President, Comrade Adeyanju did not mince words when he repeatedly said that the troubles with Seafaring and Seafarers this year 2026 has been seriously greeted with dangers of conflicts here and there, which has not been favourable with Seafarers and their occupation, particularly in the middle east and the West as it were.
The Oyo Prince, however praised the commitment and dedication and rare diligence to the call of duty and the courage to Carrying on in the face of starring troubled waters of the middle east.
He also spoke angrily over the continued delay of the Aged Seafarers Retirees pensions and backlog of remuneration; long after a concluded verification exercise was concluded.
The exercise was held at the NPA quarters in Bode Thomas almost four years running under his leadership as the then President -General, Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria. Since this period, nothing positive has happened to the dying aged retirees.
The ITF boss further said that most of the Aged Seafarers had since passed on, some have been seriously sick without proper medication, while majority are incapacitated. He is appealing to the federal government of Nigeria to please give honour to whom it’s due as there’s much the government can do to alleviate the sufferings of these retirees, whose lives have become miserable as a result of abject poverty.
He also thanked the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy for his foresight in the development of the Maritme sector, especially in the transformation of the nation’s seaports; using the Seafarers Day as a platform in appealing to the quintessential Minister to see to the return of “On Board Gangway Men” in the vessels as this will definitely put a stop to pilfering in vessels and would help to check economic sabotage in vessels too. He also advocated that the Onboard Gangway Men are the “eagle eyes” on board berthed vessels at the Qay Aprons of the Seaports.
He congratulated Nigerian Seafarers and also made case for the Nigerian Maritme Academy, Oron, which he described as a vehicle without engine. Each year Marine graduates are turned out with no proper certification and no vessels to board. He also tasks NIMASA in this regard to make sure that graduants from Oron are properly certificated for their usefulness to the sector.
Comrade Adeyanju thanked all Maritme employers and practitioners to keep the flag flying irrespective of the challenges they are facing so far, saying that the sky is the limit for all of them.
He also praised his successor, the current President -General of the Maritme Workers’ Union of Nigeria, Comrade Francis Bunu Abi for wearing his shoes well. Comrade Adeyanju says there could not have been a better successor other than Comrade Bunu, whose heart runs with the mixture of milk, love and kindness.
He said if he has a second opportunity in MWUN, Comrade Bunu will always be his main man and a proven successor of all time as there’s no regrets installing him his successor.
I say “Ahoy” to you all on this day.
Cartoon Strip Ad 2
