Comrade Brisibe B. Awe
National President 1998-2001
BIOGRAPHY OF COMRADE BRISIBE B. AWE
NATIONAL PRESIDENT (1998 – 2001)
Comrade Brisibe B. Awe is the 5TH National President of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) who served from 1998 to 2001, a period marked by significant transitions within Nigeria’s labor and political landscape.
Background and Rise to Leadership
Brisibe Awe was an employee of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (now NNPCL) who emerged as a key figure from the NNPC family to succeed Comrade Wariebe Kojo Agamene. His presidency came at a time when the union was recovering from the effects of the military regime led by General Sani Abacha; re-establishing its influence in a newly democratic Nigeria. Comrade Awe’s leadership was instrumental in stabilizing the union and reinforcing its commitment to workers’ rights and welfare.
Union Leadership and Contributions
During his tenure, Comrade Brisibe Awe worked closely with other union leaders to rebuild NUPENG’s organizational structure and morale. One of the most notable achievements during his leadership was the acquisition and renovation of the NUPENG Secretariat at 9 Jibowu Street, Yaba, Lagos, in the year 2000. This move was a bold step toward engendering institutional independence and operational efficiency for the union.
The building then, known as NUPENG House, symbolized a new era of stability and growth; it served as the union’s headquarters for 18 years before it was demolished by Comrade Williams Akporeha’s led administration to house a new and modern structure. This achievement was made possible through the collaborative efforts of Comrade Awe and the late Comrade Frank Ovie Kokori, who served as General Secretary during that period with the support of the National Executive Council members of his administration.
Legacy and Influence
Comrade Awe’s leadership is remembered for its pragmatism, institution-building, and dedication to the union’s long-term sustainability. His tenure laid the groundwork for future developments, including the eventual construction of the ultra-modern NUPENG Tower, which replaced the aging NUPENG House in 2024.
He will also be remembered for his significant contributions in combating casualization in the formal sector and organizing/unionizing some informal sector branches like the Engine Lubricant Dealers (ELD), Petrol Stations Workers (PSW) and the Surface Tank Kerosene Peddlers (SUTAKEP) for the Union.
There is no doubt that Comrade Awe’s administrative foresight contributed significantly to the union’s resilience and evolution.
