Kaigama emerges new TUC president

Bobboi Kaigama replaces Peter Esele.

Bobboi Kaigama has been elected as the new President of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC).

Mr. Kaigama defeated Babatunde Ogun of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria with 356 votes in the election held on Saturday. Mr. Ogun got 314 votes in the peaceful election that was monitored by all past presidents of TUC.

The new TUC President, who is the President of Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria, will succeed Peter Esele.

In his acceptance speech, Mr. Kaigama said that the new leadership would work with the government and private sector employers to improve the welfare of workers.

“The mandate given to us is to be good ambassadors so that we will better the lot of Nigerian workers,” he said.

Mr. Kaigama assured that the new executive would build on the existing foundation in the provision of housing for workers and a new secretariat for the congress. He said that his team had developed a blueprint on the welfare of workers and ways to address various challenges.

The new chairman dedicated his victory to past leaders of TUC and called on other contestants to join hands with the newly elected leaders to lift the standard of Nigerian workers, particularly those of TUC.

Mr. Esele, the outgoing TUC president, expressed happiness at the peaceful conduct of the election. He said the Congress would be taken to the next level by the newly elected leaders.

Other members of the new executive include Sunday Salako from the Association of Senior Staff of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institution who was elected unopposed first deputy president.

Augustin Etafo from PENGASSAN emerged as second deputy president, while Bede Opara from Senior Staff of Electricity and Allied Corporation was elected third deputy president.

Babatunde Abdulrahaman, President of Food Beverage and Tobacco Senior Staff Association, was elected treasurer.

Over 700 delegates voted in this year’s conference which elected 10 new officers to run the affairs of the association for three years.

(NAN)