Comrade Pastor Sunday Avoseh is a man who embraces respect and due process, which has done marvelously well for Seamen’s growing Union image.
He has contributed massively to the continuous development of Nigerian seamen’s welfare by joining hands with the President General, Comrade Francis Bunu, to enforce the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) into a working document. He also contributed to the expansion of the Lagos District office to District I & II.
Comrade Iheanyi Egwu, a colleague, captures his impression about Pastor Avoseh thus: “He came into the union as a young educated evangelist who understands that ‘faith without works is dead’
“His knowledge and calling gave him an edge over those he met in the union.
He initially wanted to be a sailor, but union leaders protested to the Seamen’s District office, and he was subsequently posted to the District as the Elected District Secretary.
His achievements started when he was a District Chairman.
“He initiated the idea of creating the Private Boat District and collaborated with our 001 Comrade Bunu when he was then the President of Seamen. They both made it happen.
“Avoseh also created another Lagos Seamen District 2, where he made Comrade Reuben Erujajoh the Chairman. Avoseh is incontrovertibly known within the Union as a nice man who has helped so many of our sailors to get work on the ship. He also brought expansion to the Seafarers branch”.
Comrade Egwu further described the 55-year-old leader as an intelligent man who understands the system and has also contributed immensely to the lives of the Seamen.
For him, Comrade Avoseh is one man who likes protocols and wants things to be done the right way. That’s from unit to district, branch, and national.
He explains more: “Some Districts are just a step ahead of some units because it’s the same old people that you will see in their executives.
“In such instances where you see a 51-year-old organising secretary and 45-year-old treasurer, these two youthful executives would be the headache of the older colleagues as they would always see the youths as a threat to them.
“In a nutshell, the Seamen branches want youths in their executives both in the district and unit. That is why we are fully queuing behind the aspiration of Pastor Avoseh because the older people made the seamen lag”.
While recounting Pastor Avoseh’s achievements, Egwu credited him for winning incorruptible, straight, and upward-moving souls through his passion for the work of God.
His words: “He has won souls for Christ through his formidable Christian evangelism, and to the glory of God, he has grown from evangelist to an ordained pastor. He is also a reputable person in the maritime industry, specifically with MWUN.
“Some years back, he was elected to the position of unit secretary (Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria) and was later elevated to District Secretary and later District Chairman, and presently the Seamen branch President”.
Another strong supporter of Avoseh, Comrade Abayomi Uthman Martins, explains his reasons for throwing his weight behind the likeable Avoseh.
“Pastor Avoseh is a loving, kindhearted comrade, and we are glad to do this for our President.
“Comrade Sunday Avoseh is contesting for the seafarers’ branch election on the 26th of June in Port Harcourt. Pastor Sunday is a mentor and senior pastor in charge of Redeemed Christian Church of God, City of Light Parish, Festac Town, and he holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Economics from Lagos State University in 1994.
