Rights group, workers unions honour departed leader Nwanyieze in Lagos

By Isa Isawade

The Bureau of African Labour Human and Democratic Rights (BALHADER), as well as the Center for the Defence of Human Rights Democratic in Africa (CDHRDA) and the wrongly disengaged Over 5000 Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), on Monday honoured one of their leaders, Comrade (Mrs) Nwanyieze Ukaummna, well-known as the First Lady of Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, MWUN who died in August with a memoria session in Lagos.

Comrade Nwanyieze, who turned 70 on the 5th of May 2025, passed on in her 43 Fatai Irawo Street, Ajao Estate, Isolo Lagos on the 30th of August 2025.

The event, which was held at the Akporo Community Hall, Ajegunle Apapa, Lagos started around 11am with hymns and solidarity songs, after which a minute silence was observed in honour of the departed soul.

The memorial service witnessed many members of the workers unions rendering great testimonials about the woman they regard as mother of all maritime workers.

The first speaker, Comrade Mufutau Salami described Mrs Ukaummna as a good mother who was very accommodating and hospitable.

“Mama was a good mother to me. She was always happy to receive you. Any time I went to her for anything, she would urge me to enter and sit anywhere I wanted in the house. She would say sit anywhere you like, it’s your house,” Comrade Muftau narrated.

He gave testimonies of how the late unionist interceded for him on several cases. He also emphasized that mama loved him so much that if she had decided not to intervene on any issue, she would change her position immediately she noticed him among the concerned individuals. He prayed for the repose of the deceased’s soul.

Second speaker was Comrade Olumegbon Ibrahim Babatunde who described Mrs Ukaummna’s demise as sad. However, he urged his colleagues to take solace in the fact that the late ‘mother of all maritime workers’ lived a good and impactful life.

Another protege of the late union leader, Comrade Emmanuel James, said the deceased played important roles “in everybody’s life. You cannot go to her sad and not return happy.”

Another speaker, Comrade James Nwafor, praised mama to high heaven and said the only way to honour her was for him and his colleagues to continue the struggle the deceased led “until victory is achieved.”

The BALHADER Director of Programme, Comrade Uchenna Uzoije, himself was not left out in the avalanche of praises for the late Comrade. He noted that Mrs Ukaummna was the first leader of the movement. He described her as his mother ‘in the real sense of it.”

He pledged to honour her beloved memory by pursuing to a logical conclusion the struggle she led till death.

A prayer session for the repose of her soul was held thereafter.

At about 12:30pm, singing of solidarity songs with characteristic demonstration took the stage to wrap up the programme.