Labour Party mourns NLC general secretary, recalls role in party’s formation

The Labour Party is mourning the loss of Emmanuel Ugboaja, the General Secretary of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), who died at the age of 60. The party described him as a committed unionist and democrat who played a crucial role in both the development of the party and Nigeria's democratic process. Ugboaja was also credited with strengthening the ties between the Labour Party and the organized labor movement.

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a strong unionist, committed democrat and pillar of support to the current leadership of the Labour Party.

In a statement, the party's National Publicity Secretary, Ken Asogwa, called Ugboaja "a strong unionist, committed democrat and pillar of support to the current leadership of the Labour Party." Asogwa noted that Ugboaja's death leaves "a painful void not only in the Labour movement but also in the Labour Party family." His pivotal role in fostering the relationship between the Labour Party and the NLC was evident through his participation in key meetings and deliberations that led to the party's new constitution.

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his death had created “a painful void not only in the Labour movement but also in the Labour Party family.”

The Labour Party recalled Ugboaja's foundational involvement, noting he was a member of the National Executive Council that approved the formation of the Party for Social Democracy in 2003, the precursor to the Labour Party established in 2004. He later served as the party’s Deputy National Secretary and as the National Secretary of the NLC Political Commission.

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He actively participated and made invaluable contributions to several meetings and deliberations that culminated in the birth of our new Party Constitution.

Beyond his union and political activities, Ugboaja was recognized for his contributions to national discourse as a member of the defunct National Constitutional Reform Conferences in 2005 and 2014. The party stated that his contributions to the labor movement, democratic development, and Nigeria's political history will be remembered as part of the nation's collective memory. The party extended condolences to the NLC, the wider organized labor movement, and Ugboaja's family.

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Ugboaja’s life was therefore one of service to the Labour movement, the democratic cause and the Nigerian nation. His contributions to these causes will remain a part of our collective history and will not be forgotten.