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Friday 29 June 2012
Bafyau, ex-Labour Chief, Bows Out, as Encomiums Pour in
Comrade Pascal Myeleri Bafyau
He had survived several attacks by neo-liberals as a renowned Labour
leader, but on Tuesday night, he failed to survive a heart attack, as
the battle by doctors to save his life was lost. And that has thrown the
Labour community in the country into mourning.
Comrade Pascal Myeleri Bafyau was the President of the Nigeria Labour
Congress (NLC) between 1988 and 1994. He was said to have passed on at
about 11.30 pm on Tuesday, at the age of 65, shortly after he suffered a
heart attack at his residence in Abuja.
His death came as a rude shock to the entire labour movement in
particular and labour industry in general. He was born on March 7, 1947
and hails from Adamawa State.
He had been missing in public arena in recent times, but he remained a
valued chieftain of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Expectedly, his death has triggered a torrent of comments, many of
which are commiserating with the Bafyau family as well as recounting his
accomplishments as a labour leader.
President of the NLC, Comrade Abdulwaheed Omar described the death of
Bafyau as a huge loss to the Congress noting that Bafyau was a good
intermediary between the NLC and government.
Omar, in a statement, said Bafyau would best be remembered for his
commitment to a strong and united labour movement which saw him in 1988
uniting the two factions of the NLC-- the Democrats and Progressives,
which were engaged in a fratricidal ideological struggle.
According to him, “Despite this turbulent period in the country’s
history, which included the June 12 crises, Comrade Bafyau made
remarkable achievements as NLC President. These include the building of
the 12-storey Labour House in Abuja, establishment of the Labour
Transport Service (now Labour City Transport), the founding of the now
defunct Labour Bank (LACON) and the establishment of the old Labour
Party in 1989”.
Omar said the NLC will play a major role in the burial of the late
labour leader because his entire life was dedicated to the labour
movement.
“The five years he was NLC President were the turbulent years of the
Generals Babangida and Abacha regimes. Comrade Bafyau had been elected
NLC President in December 1988 after a ten-month seizure of the Congress
by the Babangida regime. Bafyau’s Presidency ended in 1994 when the
military under late General Sani Abacha again seized the Congress.
“Comrade Bafyau dedicated his adult life to the Labour Movement
beginning from 1969 when at 22, he was elected the North East Branch
Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Railwaymen (NUR), and rose to be the
NUR General Secretary in 1982.
Also, President General of Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), Peter
Esele, described the late Bafyau as a dogged fighter who believed in
fighting for the course of Nigerian workers.
“We were with him last week at the rally in support of Adams
Oshiomole’s bid for second term and he advised us on how to further
solidify the labour movement. He is the one that laid the foundation for
the present NLC”,
“He shall be remembered for the numerous struggles which he led against
the forces of oppression especially in the dark ages of military
dictatorship in Nigeria and the pivotal role which he played in
conjunction with us in the formation of the Nigeria Labour Party.
President of the Senate, David Mark, who also expressed shock over
Bafyau’s death described him as a patriotic and selfless Nigerian,
noting that his non-violent labour campaign endeared him to many
Nigerians.
He recalled that late Bafyau as the then President of Nigeria Labour
Congress (NLC) struggled for the emancipation of the workers and by
extension the welfare of the Nigerian people.
On his part, Resident Representative of Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES),
Mr. Thomas Maettig described the late Comrade Pascal Bafyau as a true
trade unionist who led the NLC during the dark times of military rule.
In a text message sent to THISDAY, Maettig said "Labour has lost an illustrious son and a strong supporter of democracy."
FES is a German social organization that deals with labour unions.
FES is a German social organization that deals with labour unions.
Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, who succeeded Bafyau as
NLC President described the death as “a singular colossal loss to the
Labour Movement”.
In a condolence letter to the NLC President, Oshiomhole said
In a condolence letter to the NLC President, Oshiomhole said
“Comrade Pascal ahead of his contemporaries appreciated the limitation of “bread and butter” struggle of trade unionism.
Recalling Bafyau’s glowing era at the NLC, the governor said, “His tenure witnessed labour struggle against military dictatorship and official attempt to divide the labour movement.
His indelible marks I took over from as the 4th President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in 1999 in the movement are significant and numerous to list.”
Recalling Bafyau’s glowing era at the NLC, the governor said, “His tenure witnessed labour struggle against military dictatorship and official attempt to divide the labour movement.
His indelible marks I took over from as the 4th President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in 1999 in the movement are significant and numerous to list.”
Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu state has also lamented the death of
Bafyau, saying the nation has lost yet another patriot and a true
believer in national advancement.
Also, Governor Theodore Orji described Bafyau as a rare gem and a
patriot and a great loss to the labour movement in the country.
In the same vein, the Kwara State governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed
described Bafyau as a labour activist and democrat who contributed
immensely towards a strong and united labour movement in the country by
not only ensuring a strong financial base but bringing factions of the
union under a united umbrella.
The Governor of Ondo State who is serving on the platform of Labour
Party, Dr Olusegun Mimiko has noted that the late Labour leader
administered the country’s Labour Union at a very difficult time and
was able to direct its affairs to the best of his ability, because of
his high managerial acumen.
And from Niger State, Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu said Bafyau’s passage is a great loss to Nigerian workers whose lives he touched in his eventful life that was devoted to public service. Aliyu said the former labour leader was concerned and fought for the welfare of the Nigerian workers.
And from Niger State, Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu said Bafyau’s passage is a great loss to Nigerian workers whose lives he touched in his eventful life that was devoted to public service. Aliyu said the former labour leader was concerned and fought for the welfare of the Nigerian workers.
Bafyau, as a labour leader made a foray into politics on the platform of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
He contested to become the running mate to late Chief MKO Abiola during
the 1993 presidential elections under the defunct Social Democratic
Party (SDP), but was beaten by Babagana Kingibe, who was chosen by the
party.
Bafyau joined the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) at its
inception in 1998 and made an unsuccessful bid for senatorial and
gubernatorial contests in Adamawa state.
In 1989, Bafyau, led the NLC to establish the Nigerian Labour Party. He is survived by his wife and three daughters.
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