By: Peter Legacy
The Association of Senior Civil Servants has inaugurated it’s unit EXCOS, in the main hall of the Association, by Mariam Babangida road. The ceremony witnessed the presence of some officers of the association’s national leadership, the state EXCO led by the State chairman, Comrade Martins Bolum, past state leaders of the association, officials of the ministry of Labour as well as some leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress(NLC).
The ceremony which pulled great labour leaders from the various spheres, was seen as a melting point for the various waring leaders of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria ASCSN.
Speaking at the occasion, the National vice chairman of RATTAWU and former Delta state Secretary of the Nigeria Labour Congress(NLC), Comrade Innocent Ofuonyeadi, stated that he was surprised to see the warheads sitting together on the high table fraternizing.
” Once upon a time, there was war in Galilean, there is fire in Soweto. Who would have believed that the warheads, the war lords could be seated together here, in peace and harmony. But that is the beauty of unionism, ” Comrade Ofuonyeadi said.
The previously waring leaders of the association, took turns to admonish the newly elected/re-elected unit executives; admonishing them on loyalty, welfare for their members and responsibility towards their primary assignments.
The national Deputy Secretary General, Comrade Chukwuma Igbokwe, was lavish with praise and appreciation of the Comrade Martins Bolum state leadership for bringing the once war characterized to Harmony and peace. ” I was here two years ago, but this hall we are in I couldn’t gain entrance, because I was told by the various war lords that they would break my head. But today look at all of us sitting together happily. I want to thank you Comrade Martins Bolum, for the efforts you have put in to make this happen.”
” Our employers are always happy when we fight ourselves. While we are fighting we cannot negotiate and they go about creating more division within us. I encourage you the elected unit executives, hold yourself up to a higher standard of responsibility and in discharge of your duties, both in the union and in your place of work. This is time to show good example by your dedication to work. Don’t forget you are senior officers, and so much is expected of you. Unionism shouldn’t be an excuse for truancy.”
The Delta state chairman of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria(ASCSN), Comrade Martins Bolum, congratulated the elected unit executives for the peaceful elections. He commended them for the efforts they put in at ensuring the peace that is now being enjoyed.
” My brothers and sisters, you are the heroes of the association. You are the future of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria, Delta state . For some of you who have been here before, you know we do not inaugurate you, but Delta state ASCSN has grown. This inauguration is to recognize the role you have played in taking up the mantle of leadership in your various units.
I must tell you that you have done so much to make sure that your unit elections were peaceful. If you did not make the process peaceful, we wouldn’t be here today. You did it because you believe in the association.You didn’t want the struggles of your leaders to be in vain. So, I want to thank you specially, and together we shall take the Association of Senior Civil Servants in this state to greater heights.”
The high points of the ceremony were the formal inauguration, presided over by the National Deputy Secretary General, Comrade Chukwuma Igbokwe, and the dancing to traditional music, by the state chairman and the inaugurated unit leaders.