By Eberechi Obinagwam
The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, (PENGASSAN), has elected Comrade Festus Osifo as its new president, along with other national officers to run the affairs of the association in the next three years, (2020 – 2023).
Comrade Festus of Total Nigeria E&P branch emerged as the 16th president of the association after defeating his sole challenger, Comrade Roland Fredericks of Shell Petroleum branch by 200 to 183 votes.
Comrade Osifo in his acceptance speech, promised to abide by the Association’s Constitution in all his dealings and to return power to the Branches, while fighting for the protection of members’ job and improved welfare.
He thanked the Delegates for electing men and women of character and promised he would not disappoint in the confidence reposed on them.
He also admonished labour leaders on the need for unity amongst members in all strata of the labour movement in the country, promising to work with like minds anywhere they are and could be located to champion the cause of the repressed, and the masses in general.
Elected to serve with him at the national level of the Association are other officers selected into the Central Working Committee (CWC) of the Association.
These officers include, Comrades Duru Mathew of NNPC as Deputy President, Kelechi Ugwulo of NALCO as the National Industrial Relations Officer, Victor Ononokpono of PPPRA as National Treasurer and Kabiru Dan’Azumi of NNPC as Financial Secretary.
Others are, Anietie Udoh of MPN as National Public Relations Officer, Charles Ogbowu of NAOC as National Auditor 1, Bosun Olaniyi of Baker Hughes as the National Auditor 2, NgoziChiwendu of Tecon Oil Services as Chairperson Women in PENGASSAN.
All the elected officers were sworn in by the General Secretary Comrade Lumumba Okugbawa.
A total of 384 Delegates drawn from the Association Branches nationwide participated in the election as part of 6th Triennial National Delegates Conference (NDC) held at the NAF Conference Center Abuja.
The NDC was earlier scheduled to hold in June 2020 but was deferred to August with the approval of Registrar of Trade Unions due the global outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.