President General of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, Comrade Francis Bunu, and Pastor Sunday Avoseh, of the Seamen branch, have consistently revealed the kind of Union they want to bequeath. Bunu, while commenting at the recent shipping delegates’ conference, revealed plans to empower the units and the districts, as that is where the union’s work lies.
While appreciating the youths of the shipping branch that came to thank him, the number 001 of the MWUN Comrade Bunu said, “It is similar to the bible story, where only one returned with thanks because there are many branches in shipping, but only one came to say thank you.
“We know that shipping is a very peculiar branch, especially for those of you contesting for units’ positions. There is something we’re seeing that’s wrong, and we are going to right the wrongs now because the foundation of the union is the units and the districts. After all, that’s where the bulk of the work lies”.
He noted that people do not understand that a good unit chairman is a potential district chairman.”I was a unit and district chairman, and because of my hard work as a chairman, they brought me out to lead despite the number of districts.
“A good district chairman is also a potential branch president, if you know your onion. If you know what you are doing, this administration will empower both the units and the districts because those are where the work of the union lies”, he said.
Bunu also added that the story of the branch that came to show appreciation can be related to the story of the 10 lepers healed by Jesus Christ in the bible, which saw only one coming back to show appreciation.
On the issue of allowing youths to steer the ship of the union, Comrade Bunu charged the youths to make themselves relevant and be seen as people who make things happen, both at the district and unit levels.
Bunu’s statement received commendation from several members of the Union who praised the MWUN helmsman for his good advice, and Comrade Pastor Sunday Avoseh, who midwifed the vibrant youth, Comrade Ezekiel Stephen’s emergence as the first trustee.
They also have this to say, ”This means being active and hardworking as a Unit Officer, representing your members very well can elevate one to District, and your continuity can also lead you to Branch, and so on.
“Good times have come to the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, and greater achievements await our noble union through these two illustrious Comrades Francis Bunu and Pastor Sunday Avoseh”.
Others prayed that God would continue to favor their works to lead the seamen and the entire maritime sector to the land of glory. They added that both leaders, by their body language, want proactive individuals who can revamp both the Districts and Units.
“The reason for this is that in two months, they will call for a District election, which is where the Seamen want the change of government to start manifesting.
“That’s our desire because every factor that has caused retrogression to the union will soon come to an abrupt end”, they prayed.
The Seamen said, “We want change for progress in the cradle, we are not growing the way most of us desire in the units and districts”.
