By Emmanuel Ajibulu The entire Executive officers and members of the Lagos Zone of NUPENG Chaired by Comrade Tayo Aboyeji have unanimously passed a vote of confidence on the National President of NUPENG, Comrade Williams  Eniredonana Akporeha and his 'winning team'. These cheering and bold expressions were made known on Friday, July 2, 2021 at an extraordinary Town Hall meeting organized by the Zone in Lagos to interact with the President and reiterate members' unalloyed loyalty and support for the National leadership. The President and his entourage had made similar visit to other Zones of the Union [Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna Zones] and the receptions were adjudged to be remarkably great amidst merriments, encomiums and fanfare. Lagos apparently turned out to be the final lap of the high profile and worthwhile visits. Like other Zones, Lagos chapter of the Union also assured the President that the zone is equally throwing its weight behind the President for continuity and another term in office as guaranteed by the constitution of the Union. The President who was accompanied by the General Secretary of the Union, Comrade Olawale Afolabi, PTD National Chairman, Comrade [Otunba] Salimon Akanni Oladiti all clad in same Yoruba traditional attire assured the Zone that the best is yet to come, adding that the leadership will not renege in its promises to make the Union greater and achieve its set goals and objectives in the larger interest of members, staff, oil and gas industry and Nigeria as a whole. The event also witnessed the inauguration of NUPENG Lagos Zone Youth Council, and the administering of the oath of office to the members was officially performed by the Union's General Secretary, Comrade Afolabi Olawale. Those in attendance were Deputy President of the Union, comrade Kilanko Solomon, National Treasurer, Comrade Alex Agwanwor, National Trustee, Comrade Monday Osunde, Vice President Lagos Zone Comrade, Rotimi Benjamin, NUPENG Women Committee Chairperson and Secretary, Comrades Adesuwa Oribhabor and Comrade Olayemi Omotayo and Comrade Adejoke Oyeleke [National Welfare Officer]. Others were DGS Finance/Account, Admin and Operations, Comrades Anthony Chukwu, Christopher Akpede and Otite Onowohwo as well as PAGS Research/ Public Affairs, Comrade Adamson Momoh, The event was also honored by the National Chair of IMB, Comrade Olayemi Oluleye, National Chair of OGS, Comrade Akinwole Ebenezer Oladejo, National  Chair of SUTAKEP, Comrade Israel Omokero, ELD National  Chair, Comrade Gabriel James Omo-Oba, Deputy Chairman and Secretary of Lagos Zone of PTD, Comrade Gbolahan Saheed Adigun, Comrade Abidoye Lawal, Vice Chairman Lagos Zone and Secretary, Comrade Segun Ekun, Comrade Leke Adepegba, Admin Head of Lagos zone Comrade Idahoise Osunbor etc.  

By Emmanuel Ajibulu Today, June 1, 2021 by God’s special grace, mercy and boundless blessings, Hon [Comrade] Joseph Iranola Akinlaja is 71, and thankfully in excellent condition. Traditionally, it is equally a day when both the social and traditional media are known for experiencing 'traffic gridlock' as a result of torrents of birthday wishes, greetings and prayers coming from his supporters, proteges, business/political associates, mentees, family members, etc to celebrate God in his life. This year edition is profoundly unique as he is also using the occasion to simultaneously launch his autobiography with the title, LABOUR, POLITICS & GRACE in Abuja to commemorate his 71st birthday anniversary but not without stern compliance to COVID-19 protocols, guidelines and regulations that everyone are already familiar with. One isn't surprised that Hon. Joseph Akinlaja-himself, a brilliant raconteur attracting riveting attention will, in writing his book, show a remarkable power of recall of events that will amaze most people; he has employed a refreshingly down-to-earth prose, a lucidity of style and language that is pleasing and an occasional infusion of his characteristic humour that should enliven the reading of the 350-page autobiography. This is quite scholarly and intellectually robust. Hon Akinlaja is indeed an astute elder statesman, a veteran of Trade Unionism, a political juggernaut, chattered arbitrator, a voice to the voiceless, and an advocate of the downtrodden. Time and events have however revealed that Hon Akinlaja is a force to reckon with in the political milieu, not just in Ondo State but in Nigeria. In the Legislative Circle where he held sway for two-terms of eight years at the National Assembly, he consistently displayed vibrant and blazing conduct that befits a true democrat and leader who shares in the feelings of the people and identifies with the pains of the moment in the life of the nation. Similarly, as a trade unionist who rose to the position of General Secretary of NUPENG and also as Deputy President of NLC, workers' rights, welfare and wellbeing were his key priorities so much that he was seen as a thorn in the flesh for employers of labour with obnoxious policies particularly those who subjected workers to precarious working conditions. His emergence as Technical Consultant and Life Parton to PTD Branch of NUPENG has also been a memorable and commendable one without regrets or disappointment. We pray to God Almighty to extend our lives to witness your hale, hearty and prosperous octogenarian, nonagenarian and centenarian days in life with peace, sound mind, long life and prosperity. May the love you have shown to others return to you multiplied. May this birthday mark the beginning of a year filled with happy, sweet, awesome memories, and shining dreams. May you live to celebrate more beautiful years on earth, and we also wish you a fruitful and purposeful life. Congratulations to you sir, 'Ina Njo Ogiri O Sa', a labour leader of note with achievements that are worthy of emulation.

The National Leadership of NUPENG led by the President and the General Secretary, Comrade [Prince] Williams Eniredonana Akporeha and Comrade Olawale Afolabi commiserated with Comrade Olayemi Omotayo at her Lagos residence over the demise of her beloved husband on Tuesday, May 11, 2021. Comrade Olayemi is the Secretary of NUPENG National Women Committee. Others who accompanied the President and the General Secretary for the condolence visit were the National Treasurer, Comrade Alex Agwanwor, Comrade Adamson Momoh, Principal Assistant General Secretary in charge of Research and Public Affairs and Comrade Emmanuel Ajibulu [Senior Organising Secretary in charge of Media/Publicity].

PRESS STATEMENT The National Leadership of Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), profoundly felicitates with the Nigeria’s oil and gas workers and other industry players as a whole on this auspicious day specifically set aside to celebrate the uniqueness of working masses in their various endeavors. May Day is typically a period to do self introspection with the goal of fashioning a new path to progress and putting the struggle for the emancipation of working people in the front burner for decency of working life. The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers is using this auspicious occasion to highlight the fact that Nigeria oil and gas Industrial Relations atmosphere has been grossly affected negatively with numerous challenges ranging from redundancy, casualisation, outsourcing, hostile employers, non-implementation of Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBA) to non-recognition of Unions in the workplace. Sadly, the covid-19 pandemic further plunged the workers into so many other harrowing challenges; even in the post covid-19 era some workers are yet to survive the negative effects which took serious toll on their socio-economic and psychological wellbeing. Nevertheless the oil and gas Workers will remain resolute and undaunted, and will never give up, as the Union will continue the struggles and resist every obnoxious and anti-labour practice with all the resources at our disposal. We are strongly committed in our mandate to defend, promote and protect the rights of our members and this we promise to do with all our strength and conviction. The Union leadership is equally using this opportunity to call on the Federal Government especially the National Assembly to fast-track the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) so that it can receive Presidential assent as soon as possible. It is our hope that when eventually passed it will meet the yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians. We also urge them to ensure that the minimum wage is not expunged from the exclusive to concurrent list and the payment must as well remain non negotiable inspite of the pressure coming from some interest groups who desperately want a change in status quo at the detriment of the workers. NUPENG is equally concerned about increasing state of insecurity in the country ranging from kidnapping, banditry, insurgency, ritual killings, civil unrest, and unhealthy rivalry among ethnic groups, farmer-herder conflicts, and citizen’s harassment by law enforcement agents etc. The leadership of our Union commiserate with working people that have lost one loved one or the other to the cold hands of death as a result of the senseless killings going on in the country today. We pray that the God Almighty will console them and grant them the fortitude to bear the irreparable losses. And in a very strong term, the leadership of our Union calls on Federal Government to rise up to the occasion by providing for security of lives of the citizens as it is its primary and constitutional responsibility. From all indication, the country is in a state of war and no one should pretend otherwise. The government must seek for help immediately because it is becoming very apparent that the situation has overwhelmed it. Similarly, the high level of insecurity has further worsen the economic situation of the country and has made the country to be going in and out of recession every time. The twin problems of insecurity and economic recession must be addressed without further delay as this is taking serious toll on the health, safety and livelihoods of the Nigerian workers. It is our expectation that the political elites would rise to the occasion and save the nation from total collapse. We are also using this platform to admonish government in this post covid-19 era that while people are gradually adjusting to the new normal, Nigerian government needs to do more in facilitating citizen’s vaccination and ensure job security and socio-economic empowerment of Nigerians so that life could be more meaningful and abundant so as to promote sharp decline in defiant behaviors. However, the leadership of the Union is making it abundantly clear that it will not rest on its oars to defend and promote the rights and privileges of oil and gas workers in Nigeria. NUPENG as trustee of posterity will continue to serve as a pillar of strength for our members and the working people as we brave the challenges and storms, working together with other patriots to build a dynamic, strong, united and prosperous nation where decency of employment will flourish and prevail. Happy Workers Day to Nigeria oil and gas workers and the entire working people globally. Our solidarity remains constant for the Union makes us strong! SIGNED: COMRADE (PRINCE) WILLIAMS AKPOREHA, NUPENG NATIONAL PRESIDENT COMRADE AFOLABI OLAWALE, GENERAL SECRETARY OF NUPENG.

By Emmanuel Ajibulu Comrade Olawale Afolabi is an example of how anyone can overcome adversity to succeed and thus become an inspiration to others; he is equally a radiant leading figure for responsible dealings with candour. He is known for motivational speaking, mentoring, human capital development, teaching and coaching as well as developing and nurturing talents among other things. The consummate administrator is highly sought-after for being uniquely engaging and profoundly outstanding in all his conducts. He is articulate and irrepressible with the history of addressing and training a very large number of people each year on personal and professional development, achieving peak performance, wealth creation, success, inspiration, networking, management, relationships, personal success, reproductive health and goal setting. His audience especially Trade Unionists, benefit from his lectures on leadership, good governance, personal growth, innovation, strategic positioning, decision-making, workflow management, and many other diverse topics. NUPENG General Secretary is distinctively renowned for his passion, high-energy and inspirational presentation, his compelling style is a unique one which gives his presentations very striking and captivating oratorical edge and enables him to get his powerful messages across to audiences with warmth, passion, energy, and substance. He travels all over Europe, North America, Africa, and the United Arab Emirates impacting professionals, staff and members of NUPENG and encouraging them to achieve extraordinary results, increase performance and profit exponentially. His experience of interacting with people for over two decades has led him to discover that if we help people to see themselves as they can be, not as they are; then the way they think, the way they feel and the way they act will eventually be positively altered, thereby resulting in achieving optimum performance in their respective endeavors. Beyond the unique and richly rewarding professional experiences he has enjoyed over the years, his incredibly supportive and intelligent children keep him focused on what’s truly important and profit-driven. Like diamonds, Comrade Afolabi’s worth is inestimable. He has impacted a number of lives. His commitment to making a positive difference is unequaled. Today we profoundly celebrate a man of vision, a man of purpose and achievement. We celebrate a leader of men with class and finesse on this special day, April 26, 2021. Congratulations to you sir, on the attainment of this milestone which is meeting you in good health with abiding fulfillment.

By Emmanuel Ajibulu Congratulations sir! This year marks a significant milestone in your meritorious service to the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers [NUPENG] as President alongside with all the elected National officers of this great Union in the last three 3 years. It is absolutely true that the Union's growth and success is dependent on having devoted, brilliant, fearless, capable, humble, dynamic, firm, assertive, intelligent, benevolent and courageous leader like you with excellent team members. Friday, April 6, 2018 was just like yesterday when the fourth Quadrennial delegates’ conference of the Union held in Port Harcourt, to God Almighty be the glory. Impressively, you've indeed worked so hard to attain many unprecedented achievements within few years and it is our prayer that God Almighty will continue to grant you more wisdom, knowledge, understanding as well as the enablement to achieve more success for the growth and development of NUPENG and to advance the policy thrust of the Union for the greater good of the members and staff and Nigeria at large. Once again congratulations to you, a true trailblazer and quintessential Union leader. Our solidarity remains constant for the Union makes us strong!!!!!

COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF THE PETROLEUM TANKER DRIVERS BRANCH OF NUPENG EXECUTIVE MEETING HELD ON 27TH MARCH 2021 AT MANHATTAN HALL, JERICHO, IBADAN, OYO STATE. In compliance with the constitutional provisions of NUPENG and Bye Laws of Petroleum Tanker Drivers Branch of NUPENG, the Branch Executive meeting was convened and properly held on the 27th day of March 2021 at Mahattan Hall at Jericho, Ibadan in Oyo State. In attendance at the meeting include the President of NUPENG, Comrade Prince William Akporeha, the General Secretary of NUPENG, Comrade Afolabi Olawale, the National Chairman of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers, Comrade Salmon Akanni Oladiti and all other national officers of the Branch. Several topical national issues affecting our members in particular and the nation in general were raised and extensively discussed. After an exhaustive deliberation on all issues raised, the Branch Executive Council in session agreed and resolved that two major issues that impact directly on the conditions of work, welfare and safety of lives and properties of our members and general public must be immediately and urgently acted upon by the Union and all relevant governmental agencies. 1. UNBEARABLE WORKING CONDITIONS OF PETROLEUM TANKER DRIVERS: The Branch Executive Council in session observed with grave concerns the reluctance of the Nigeria Association of Road Transport Owners to negotiate the renewal of the Collective Bargaining Agreement for new working conditions for the Petroleum Tanker Drivers. The meeting in session noted with deep pains that the expiring collective bargaining agreement has been in operation for the past six years even when the country has been experiencing spiral inflationary trend that is further complicated by destructive powers of COVID 19 Pandemic. The council in session expressed deep worries that Petroleum Tanker Drivers have been going through harrowing financial situations even while rendering selfless national services, to ensure delivery of Petroleum products to homes and factories in every nook and crannies of this country, day and nights, in good and bad weather and on highly deplorable highways. The Branch executive council in session therefore resolved that following the continuing agitations of our members and the seeming hesitation of NARTO to negotiate the renewal of the CBA, the branch will no longer be able to guarantee the continued service of our members in the petroleum products distribution across the country if a new conditions of service for Petroleum Tanker Drivers is not provided for in the next fourteen days with effect from today 27th day of March 2021. 2. PETROLEUM TRUCKS SAFETY VALVE: The Branch Executive Council in session discussed with sadness, pains and deep worries, the increasing rate of fire incidences involving petroleum trucks with accompanying massive destruction of lives and properties of our members and general public. The Council in session noted with deep concerns the government’s dilly dallying attitude towards the enforcement of the compulsory installation of Safety Valves in all Petroleum trucks to protect the inflammable contents of these trucks from spilling over in a situation of road mishaps. The council in session expressed disappointment over the failure of the Federal Government to live up to its various commitments with various stakeholders in several meetings called by the government on the same matter. Insensitive government officials and unscrupulous businessmen will no longer be allowed to keep destroying the lives of our members and innocent general public. These fire accidents are becoming too many but definitely avoidable. It is in the well informed opinion of the council in session that these safety valves if installed will go a long way in reducing the rate of fire accidents involving petroleum trucks and therefore save precious lives and properties. In the light of the above, the Executive Council in session resolved to direct all our members to withdraw their services if installation of Safety valve is not made mandatory in all petroleum trucks with effect from 1st of May 2021, in view of the fact that our members are usually the first casualties in any situation of fire accidents involving petroleum trucks. The Branch Executive Council in session is not unmindful of the pains and discomforts our decisions and intending actions will have on the general public but these are hard and difficult decisions we must take for the sake of our members and even the general public. Our Solidarity remains constant for the Union makes us strong. Chairman. Comrade Salmon Akanni Oladiti.