ABUJA (Labour Ministry’ Report)- The Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. Chris Nwabueze Ngige expressed sadness over the sudden death of the General Secretary of the Radio, Television and Theatre Arts Workers Union (RATTAWU), Comrade Henry Odugala.
Expressing utter disbelief at his sudden demise, Sen. Ngige said that labour has lost one of its leaders whose insistence on social dialogue as a way to industrial harmony was exemplary. “This is a huge loss to labour and the nation, and his immense contributions to the struggle for a better working conditions for journalists will be greatly missed” he added.
“The issue of improved remuneration for practicing journalists, commensurate with the attendant job risk, unique and tasking work schedules has been on the top burner for years now. RATTAWU which is central to this struggle has remained steadfast to achieving the objective through broad based social dialogue. The efforts of late Henry Odugala in this struggle must be put on record.”
According to the Minister, “Odugala passed on just few days after the commemoration of the international day to end impunity and crimes against Journalists and journalism practice, a course he believed so much in, adds to the pains of his irreplaceable loss,” he said.
The Minister expressed his condolences to his family, RATTAWU, the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) on this sad development.
He prayed God Almighty to grant him eternal rest and comfort the family he left behind.
