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PRESS STATEMENT The National leadership of Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) is profoundly pleased to join all women in commemorating the 2021 edition of International Women's Day. Year after year, March 8 is celebrated as the International Women’s Day the world over. This is a day primarily set aside to celebrate and offer credence to the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women, while also highlighting the problems they face in day-to-day life as well as in their professional callings and workplace. The day also marks as a call to action for accelerating gender parity. This year, International Women’s Day is being specially marked to highlight the challenges brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic just as it rightfully came with the theme, ‘Women in leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world, #ChooseToChallenge.’ NUPENG and all its organs as well as branches in both formal and informal sectors are deeply pained by the devastation covid-19 brought to the world, leaving women and the girl-child as worst casualties with many of them as victims of sexual abuses, discrimination, job lose/unemployment and other violent crimes. It is our joy however that nations and employers of labour are gradually recovering from this traumatic and destructive pandemic which brought the entire globe to its knees. Although it is not yet uhuru, but it is equally our hope and believe in this regime of 'new normal' that Governments across board, NGOs, Labour Centres and theirs affiliates and other stakeholders will chat a new course by putting an end to the exclusion and marginalization of women and girls and this must be urgently backed with affirmative actions in our relevant statute books. With no further delay, women deserve the legitimate and constitutional rights to advance a full role in shaping the pivotal decisions being made right now as countries respond to and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic especially with the advent of the vaccine; choices that will affect the wellbeing of people and the planet for generations to come will no doubt be a responsibility they could shoulder seamlessly. For us in NUPENG we strongly believe that this is the moment to uphold women’s achievements, recognize challenges, and focus greater attention on women’s rights and gender equality to mobilize all people to do their part. The Beijing Platform for Action focuses on 12 critical areas of concern, and envisions a world where each woman and girl can exercise her choices, such as participating actively in politics, taking leadership positions in trade unionism, law enforcement agencies, getting an education and relevant training, having a decent income, and living in societies free from fear, violence and discrimination. To do this effect, all hands must be on deck to break down the deep-seated historic, cultural, and socio-economic barriers that prevent women from taking their seat at the decision-making table to make sure that resources and power are more equitably distributed devoid of prejudice, bias or favouritism. Thankfully NUPENG is already taking an enviable lead in empowering women within our folk in a more decent and professional manner. Once again, we sincerely wish our virtuous and quintessential women happy International Women's Day. Our solidarity remains constant for the Union makes us strong. SIGNED: COMRADE WILLIAMS AKPOREHA, NATIONAL PRESIDENT OF NUPENG, COMRADE AFOLABI OLAWALE, GENERAL SECRETARY OF NUPENG

By Emmanuel Ajibulu The Leadership of NUPENG led by the National President and General Secretary, Comrade Williams Akporeha and Comrade Afolabi Olawale joined forces with Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Wednesday, March 10, 2021 to stage a nationwide protest over proposed amendments to the minimum wage for Nigerian workers. The protest which was coordinated from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja was informed by an attempt by some lawmakers at the National Assembly to remove the Minimum Wage from the Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent Legislative List. Members of the organised labour from various members organisations arrived at the venue for the take-off of the protest in various states, most bearing placards with different inscriptions. The National President of Nigerian Labour Congress, Comrade Ayuba Wabba while addressing the workers at the Unity Fountain in Abuja stated that the right of Nigerian workers to enjoy the minimum wage which is in line with the International Labour Organisation. He described as shameful, the attempt by some State Governors and members of the National Assembly to short-change the workers. Wabba said the Bill being sponsored by Garba Datti Muhammad (APC: Kaduna) to amend the minimum wage law must be resisted. According to him, such an amendment will leave the Nigerian workers at the mercies of State governors whom he says will be paying workers whatever the decision. The NLC President said rather than seek to reduce the salaries of civil servants, the salaries of political officers including that of the legislators be cut down. NLC and its affiliates on Wednesday demanded the withdrawal of a Bill that would remove the National Minimum Wage from the exclusive to the concurrent legislative list. Leading the debate on the Bill at the plenary session of Tuesday, 22 February 2021 for second reading, Hon. Garba Datti Muhammad [sponsor of the Bill], mentioned that the Bill aimes to amend both the Exclusive Legislative List by deleting the words "Prescribing a national minimum wage for the Federation or any part thereof" under item 34 of part 1 of the Second Schedule of the 1999 constitution (as amended) and inserting a new paragraph 21 and 22 into the Concurrent Legislative List such that the Legislative power over the prescription of a minimum wage becomes a concurrent power shared between the National Assembly and the State Houses of Assembly. Hon. Garba Mohammed would allow both the Federal and state governments to freely negotiate a minimum wage with their workers in line with the nation’s federal system, a move which the protesting workers say does not work in their favour. ⁶

PRESS STATEMENT The National leadership of Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) is profoundly pleased to join all women in commemorating the 2021 edition of International Women's Day. Year after year, March 8 is celebrated as the International Women’s Day the world over. This is a day primarily set aside to celebrate and offer credence to the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women, while also highlighting the problems they face in day-to-day life as well as in their professional callings and workplace. The day also marks as a call to action for accelerating gender parity. This year, International Women’s Day is being specially marked to highlight the challenges brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic just as it rightfully came with the theme, ‘Women in leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world, #ChooseToChallenge.’ NUPENG and all its organs as well as branches in both formal and informal sectors are deeply pained by the devastation covid-19 brought to the world, leaving women and the girl-child as worst casualties with many of them as victims of sexual abuses, discrimination, job lose/unemployment and other violent crimes. It is our joy however that nations and employers of labour are gradually recovering from this traumatic and destructive pandemic which brought the entire globe to its knees. Although it is not yet uhuru, but it is equally our hope and believe in this regime of 'new normal' that Governments across board, NGOs, Labour Centres and theirs affiliates and other stakeholders will chat a new course by putting an end to the exclusion and marginalization of women and girls and this must be urgently backed with affirmative actions in our relevant statute books. With no further delay, women deserve the legitimate and constitutional rights to advance a full role in shaping the pivotal decisions being made right now as countries respond to and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic especially with the advent of the vaccine; choices that will affect the wellbeing of people and the planet for generations to come will no doubt be a responsibility they could shoulder seamlessly. For us in NUPENG we strongly believe that this is the moment to uphold women’s achievements, recognize challenges, and focus greater attention on women’s rights and gender equality to mobilize all people to do their part. The Beijing Platform for Action focuses on 12 critical areas of concern, and envisions a world where each woman and girl can exercise her choices, such as participating actively in politics, taking leadership positions in trade unionism, law enforcement agencies, getting an education and relevant training, having a decent income, and living in societies free from fear, violence and discrimination. To do this effect, all hands must be on deck to break down the deep-seated historic, cultural, and socio-economic barriers that prevent women from taking their seat at the decision-making table to make sure that resources and power are more equitably distributed devoid of prejudice, bias or favouritism. Thankfully NUPENG is already taking an enviable lead in empowering women within our folk in a more decent and professional manner. Once again, we sincerely wish our virtuous and quintessential women happy International Women's Day. Our solidarity remains constant for the Union makes us strong. SIGNED: COMRADE WILLIAMS AKPOREHA, NATIONAL PRESIDENT OF NUPENG, COMRADE AFOLABI OLAWALE, GENERAL SECRETARY OF NUPENG.

Monica Weds Oghenetega Amori In Grand Style By Emmanuel Ajibulu It was a moment of joy, honour and great excitement, as Monica Ohwohfasa Ogberahwe and her heart throb, Comrade Amori Oghenetega Samuel walked down the altar to exchange their marriage vows, as husband and wife on Saturday, February 6, 2021 in Delta State. Meanwhile, the NUPENG Organising Secretary, [in charge of Admin] Comrade Oghenetega and his sweetheart earlier had their colourful and thrilling traditional wedding on Thursday, February 4, 2021. This was also an atmosphere of true love and sincere affection for the two young inseparable lovers. Infact, the marriage between these two love birds can be best described as a unique Union of bliss. The church wedding occasion, which was the best of its kind, took place at Cathedral Church of St. Luke, 16, Boyo Road, Sapele, where personalities from all walks of life turned out in large number to grace the eventful ceremony. It was indeed a remarkable occasion, as the beautiful bride, adorned in her white flowing wedding gown and her young handsome husband stepped into the church premises with smiling faces complemented with fulfillment. Most striking was the wedding reception held at Civic Centre Field, Mosogar, which was another great moment of excitement, as the couple displayed their first dance step, openly professing true love for each other to the admiration of the guests. It was fun all through, as the parents of the bride and groom Pa Joseph Ogberahwe and Elder Michael Amori with their spouses danced along their children with happiness and pride that every responsible parent desires in life. Also, many dignitaries within and outside the country graced the wedding occasion, showering encomiums on the parents of the bride and groom for proper upbringing of their children. Among the dignitaries were wife of the President of NUPENG, Mrs Nora Akporeha, Delta State astute politician Chief Ighoyota Amori, [JP], Commissioner for Environment Delta State, Chief (Pastor) Chris Onogba, Honourable members of the state Assembly, friends, family members among them was Onome Amori and the media. Also present were National Executives of NUPENG, staff of NUPENG from National Secretariat and Warri Zonal Council, they included the Deputy General Secretary in charge of Admin, Comrade Christopher Akpede, Comrade Aneru Bello [VP Warri Zone], Comrade Lucky Etuokwu [VP Port Harcourt Zone], Comrade Thomson Ogbodo [National Auditor], Comrade Israel Omokero Isreal [SUTAKEP Branch Chairman]. Others were Warri Zonal Head of Admin & Secretary, Comrade Austine Ogobiri and Comrade Adigwe Justine, Comrade Emmanuel Ajibulu [SOS Media/Publicity], Comrade Abdulkareem Aliyah [OS Admin] etc.

IN PICTURES: Official Commissioning of NUPENG Kaduna Zonal office and Hotel in Kaduna, Kaduna State. Friday, December 18, 2020.

NUPENG 2020 CHRISTMAS/NEW YEAR MESSAGE The National Leadership of Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), uses this auspicious 2020 yuletide season to profoundly rejoice with the Oil and Gas workers, managements, Oil and Gas Stakeholders and all Nigerians, especially our Christian brothers and sisters. On this special occasion of the commemoration of the birth of the saviour, Jesus Christ, let us all realign ourselves to the virtues of industrial peace and harmony in the Oil and Gas sector, and as we extend love, honesty, justice, equity, humility and faultless service to our neighbours which Christ taught. Traditionally, this period of every year is mostly given over to holidays, festivities and merriment, but individuals and nations often turn their minds, at this time also, to a degree of introspection on their lives and to taking stock of their achievements and failings in the outgoing year, as well as articulating their hopes and aspirations for the coming year. It is instructive to note that in the course of the year, the Union thankfully began the construction of an historic new National Secretariat ''NUPENG Towers'' despite the challenges posed by the deadly pandemic, Coronavirus which torn the social fabric, causing massive unemployment and even hunger, exacerbating inequalities, raising havoc and threatening institutions of good governance, causing destruction in the livelihoods of people among other heart breaking challenges. Similarly, the Union also implemented new strain of policy direction and discipline among our members in both formal and informal sectors, set new agenda and targets and equally took many radical and tough decisions in the overall interest of our hardworking members and to date these very well thought out decisons have been yielding many positive and desirable results. We wish to use this opportunity to express our gratitude to all members for their loyalty and commitment to the ever continuing struggles for the protection of rights, privileges and improvements in the working conditions of everyone of us. The Union also expresses our profound appreciation to Managements, Government Ministries/ Agencies/Parastatals and Oil and Gas Stakeholders who supported and stood by us in achieving various purposeful milestones and feats this year despite the scary challenges occasioned by Covid-19. We pledge our commitment not to renege in deepening our gains as a rebranded Union and focus more in applying social dialogue and best practices in dealing with industrial issues whenever they come up. NUPENG shall continue to count on the goodwill, support and cooperation of all players in the Nigeria’s Oil and Gas value chain in the coming year 2021 as we strive to consolidate on the gains of 2020 and tackle fresh challenges. We use this opportunity to admonish our government to proactively rededicate itself to the complete and total implementation of the national reforms not just in the petroleum industry sector, such that Nigeria at large could be better for it in the years ahead. NUPENG sincerely wishes you all merry Christmas and New Year celebrations even as we urge everyone to adhere strictly to the Covid-19 protocols and preventive measures and as well do everything in moderation. Our solidarity remains constant for the Union makes us strong. Signed: Comrade (Prince) Williams Akporeha, National President of NUPENG, Comrade Olawale Afolabi General Secretary.

By Emmanuel Ajibulu As part of efforts to deepen harmonious industrial relations in Nigeria and to encourage more investors into driving Africa industrialization agenda, stakeholders of IndustriAll Global Union, Nigeria Council on Monday November 30, 2020 paid a courtesy visit to Dangote refinery and petrolchemical limited in Lekki, Lagos. The high powered delegation to the downstream facility was led by Comrade Issa Aremu [MNI] Vice President, IndustriALL Global Union (Africa) and the Vice President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and President of Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Comrade (Prince) Williams Akporeha. Other representatives of the Nigerian affiliates of IndustriALL Global Union present on Monday were Comrade Babatunde Goke Olatunji who doubles as Chairperson IndustriALL Nigeria Council and President of National Union of Chemical Footwear Rubber Leather And Non-Metallic Products Employees (NUCFRLANMPE), Comrade, Comrade (Engineer) Martin I. Uzoegwu President of National Union of Electricity Employees of Nigeria (NUEE), National Secretary of NUCFLAMMPE, Comrade J.O Dada. Also among the delegation were President of Steel and Engineering Workers Union of Nigeria (SEWUN) Comrade Adesanya Emmanuel Abiodun, PENGASSAN Deputy General Secretary (Industrial Relations) Comrade Ngozi Okagbue, Comrade Mbang Ntukubes, Nigeria Council Secretary, IndustriAll Global Union/Field Secretary, NUEE and Comrade Emmanuel Ajibulu, NUPENG Senior Organizing Secretary, (Media/Publicity). They were warmly received by the company’s Group General Manager, Corporate & Govt. Affairs, Mr Yinka Akande and Mr. S. N Eachampati, Head of Construction. After some constructive engagement with the visitors the duo later assigned some site expatriates with the delegation to take them on a facility tour of the refinery which took them almost two hours. According to the company’s officials the Dangote refinery is a 650,000 barrels per day (bpd) integrated refinery and petrochemical project which is near completion in the Lekki Free Zone and is expected to be the Africa’s biggest oil refinery and the world’s biggest single-train facility, upon completion in 2021. They added that the company which is eight times the size of the entire Victoria Island, (Lagos) is developing the project with an estimated investment of $12bn and the refinery will process a variety of light and medium grades of crude to produce Euro-V quality clean fuels including gasoline and diesel as well as jet fuel and polypropylene. The integrated refinery and petrochemical project is expected to generate 9,500 direct and 25,000 indirect jobs. They further informed the delegation that the refinery has reached over 80 per cent completion, adding that engineering and construction were 100 per cent over while procurement was 98 per cent ready. They noted also that all the assembling would be completed by the middle of next year. Then the commissioning process may take three to four months with start of products coming into the market afterwards. Comrade Isa Aremu, whilst introducing the members of the delegation to the company representatives, Yinka Akande and S.N Eachampati, said Industrial global Union primary goal is to build trade union power and to defend workers’ rights through organizing, bargaining and campaigning with the commitment to working together to secure decent and sustainable employment for the workers The labour chieftain also said November 20th is the day set aside by UNIDO to raise awareness about industrialization in Africa and in 2020 Industriall made it a week event and also used the unique opportunity to engage Dangote Group who is believed to be the pride of Africa who also symbolizes investment patriotism. He urged the company to see Labour as partners in progress while also encouraging them to engender freedom of association and that the Labour will do everything possible to support the progress and success of the project. Comrade Aremu also stressed that it is really great to see the project going on at a time when Nigeria signed the Africa Continental Trade Agreement which is going to serve as a catalyst to drive industrialization and export within and beyond the African space. President of NUPENG, Comrade Williams Akporeha whose Union is seen as a critical stakeholder in the downstream sector of the Petroleum industry on his part extolled the virtues of the President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote and used the occasion to say he is a prouder Nigerian having seen the massive projects being embarked upon by the company aimed at boosting employment and also with the strength to revitalize the oil and gas sector in terms of capacity building and output maximization. He added that the company should have it behind their back that they have a Labour movement that is ready to collaborate with them to achieve greater and fruitful results in the industry. He also used the opportunity to pray for Dangote Group for success in the larger interest of Nigeria and Africa by extension.  

In Pictures: Burial ceremony for late founding President of NUPENG, Comrade Enas John Dubre at St Joseph Catholic Church, Okpare, Delta State. Friday, November 20, 2020.

In Pictures: Condolence visit by NUPENG Leadership to the former General Secretary of NUPENG, Comrade Frank Ovie Kokori at his country home in Ovu, Delta State over the demise of his beloved wife, Madam Esther Kokori. Friday, November 20, 2020.

In Pictures: NUPENG National Women Committee 5th Quadrennial Delegates Conference in Warri, Delta State. Tuedsay, November 24, 2020.