By Harry Awurumibe, Editor Abuja Bureau
After an internecine battle for the job eight years ago, veteran labour leader, Joe Ajaero, the incumbent Deputy National President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), is set to emerge as the National President at the 13th National Delegates’ Conference of the NLC scheduled for February 7 and 8, 2023 in Abuja.
An authoritative publication, ‘The Niche’ is reporting that Ajaero, Ajaero, 58, would be contesting as a sole candidate at the conference, expected to be capped with the election of national officers who would drive the affairs of Nigerian workers in the next four years.
Citing a publication of the nominated contestants in accordance with Article 29(4) of the NLC Constitution (as amended), which it got on Thursday, the online paper, quoted the publication signed by the Chairman and Secretary of the Credential Committee as not listing another candidate for number one job of Nigerian workers.
“Ajaero is the sole candidate for the office of the President. Those nominated for the position of Deputy National President include Comrades Prince Adeyanju Adewale, Audu Amba, and Kabiru Sani, the paper, said.
In 2015, the NLC had broken into two factions when Ajaero was the President, a week after the emergence of Ayuba Wabba, leading to a spirited battle between the two labour union giants, which was later resolved with the latter allowed to lead the body eventually.
Born on December 17, 1964, in Emekuku Owerri-North, Imo State, Ajaero has been NLC Deputy President since 2011. He is also the General Secretary of the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) since 2005. He was Research Officer One Mechanized Infantry Division Nigerian Army Kaduna between 1990 and 1991 (NYSC); Reporter/Correspondent and Assistant News Editor at Vanguard Newspapers 1992 – 2001; and Head of Training/Information, National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) 2001 – 2005.
Ajaero represented Africa in the Global Union Federation Public Services International, representing workers in 150 countries worldwide, from November 2012 – 2017. He served in the Presidential Committee on Power Sector Reforms, set up by the late ex-President Umaru Yar’Adua. Ajaero was also Chairperson of the NLC Political Commission; and Director, Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF).
He obtained a bachelor’s degree from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka in 1990 and a master’s degree in Industrial and Labour Relations at the University of Lagos in 1998. He also has certificates from world-class institutions including Harvard Business School.
