By Ken Afor
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has expressed sadness following the death of its former president, Comrade Ali Ciroma.
Ciroma died on Tuesday, April 2, 2024, at the age of 91.
TheNewDiplomat reports that the veteran labour leader passed away at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital in Borno State after a brief illness.
He was buried on Wednesday according to Islamic rites.
In a statement signed by the president of the NLC, Joe Ajaero, Ciroma’s demise leaves a profound void in the hearts of many and in the annals of the labour movement.
The statement noted that the late Ciroma demonstrated unwavering dedication and exceptional leadership during his tenure from 1984 to 1988.
The statement reads in part: “He played very active role in his primary constituency; the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN) from where he was elected President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
A nationalist and a globalist who played active roles in building and strengthening the trade union network in Africa and the globe, Comrade Ali Ciroma was a two-term member of the Governing body of the International Labour Organisation and served on the committee of freedom of Association. His contributions in these capacities remain indelible. He was a member of the Special Executive Course 5, 1983 of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), and was an honoured recipient of the national honours of Member of the Order of the Niger (MON).
“His legacy is woven into the fabric of the labor movement, marked by his tireless advocacy for the rights and welfare of workers across Nigeria. Pa Comrade Ali Ciroma stood as a beacon of hope for the downtrodden, tirelessly championing their cause in the face of adversity. He never ceased to be actively involved in our activities as he refused to allow the disruptive challenges of old age to stop him from lending his strong voice and profound opinions to shaping issues affecting Nigerian workers and masses. He was a soldier to the very end. We will sorely miss him.
“Under his astute leadership, the Nigeria Labour Congress witnessed remarkable progress and advancement. Pa Comrade Ali Ciroma played a pivotal role in shaping policies that safeguarded the interests of workers, ensuring fair wages, improved working conditions, and social justice for all. The regime of IBB will not forget him in a hurry as he led workers to the various barricades to protest the undemocratic treatment of Nigerian workers by the military. His organized resistance against the military yielded profound results as he fiercely defended the independence of the Nigeria Labour Congress which the regime was trying to infiltrate and compromise.
“Beyond his role as a labor leader, Pa Comrade Ali Ciroma was a symbol of integrity, courage, and compassion. His selfless service to humanity and unwavering commitment to the ideals of justice and equality have left an indelible mark on our collective conscience.”
The revered labour leader served as the president of the NLC from 1984 to 1988 until he was compelled to vacate his position by the military government led by General Ibrahim Babangida, resulting in the dissolution of the union.
During the tenure of the Sani Abacha administration, Ciroma was reinstated to the realm of unionism, where he was appointed as the Sole Administrator of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG).
He was a member of the governing body of the International Labour Organization (ILO) between 1984 and 1990.
