Bafyau’s death, blow to democracy, Labour –NLC, TUC

The two labour unions in the country, the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress on Wednesday described the death of former President of the NLC, Mr. Pascal Bafyau, who passed on at 11.30pm on Tuesday as a blow to the democratic process and the labour movement in the country.

The NLC, in a statement by its President, Mr. Abdulwaheed Omar, said the late former NLC boss dedicated his adult life to the Nigeria Labour Movement with his election as North East Branch Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Railway 1969.

According to him, Bafyau, who was the Congress President from 1988 to 1994, rose to become the General Secretary of the NUR in 1982.

Omar said Bafyau would be remembered in the labour union for the role he played in forging unity within the NLC which was split between the Democrats and the Progressives in 1988.

He said in spite of the fact that he became President at a period of turbulence in the country especially during the June 12  crisis, the late former NLC President was able to register some commendable achievements.

He listed some of the achievements of Bafyau to include the construction of the 12-Storey Labour House in Abuja, the establishment of the Labour Transport Service which is now referred to as the Labour City Transport, the defunct Labour Bank and the old Labour Party in 1989.

He said, “Throughout his life, Comrade Bafyau lived in the best traditions of the Labour Movement. He worked hard for sustainable democracy in the country.

“He also shunned material things; despite the height he attained in labour and politics, as at the time of his death, he lived in a rented house in Abuja.

 “His death is a big blow to the Labour Movement and the democratic process in the country.”

President General of the TUC, Mr. Peter Esele,  said Bafyau, who attended crucial labour events when he was alive shared a lot of experience with leaders of the movement that could be exploited to improve the movement.

Esele said, “It is a sad day for the Labour Movement in the country. He will be missed greatly by all. The former President of the NLC was present during the last May Day and he shared some experience that could be used to improve the system.

“All we can say is that our people are with the family at this moment and pray that God will give the family the fortitude to bear this loss.”

Meanwhile, the Federal Government said the late Labour leader made serious contributions to the development of the labour movement.

The Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu, in a statement by the Assistant Director in charge of Press in the Ministry, Mr. Samuel Olowookere, said Bafyau’s demise came as a shock to the government.

He said the late Bafyau would be remembered for his resilience and commitment to the improvement of the welfare of the Nigerian workers.

 “We have lost a fore-most labour leader, an astute politician whose wealth of experience could be drawn upon as we move towards a paradigm shift in labour government relationship from adversarial position of industrial relations practice to a more flexible win-win relationship,” the minister said.