The Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has mourned the death of Comrade Johnbull Okhiria, a veteran unionist and former Vice President of the Dockworkers Branch, who died after a brief illness in Lagos.
Okhiria, popularly known as JB, died while receiving treatment at a Lagos hospital, with his remains subsequently deposited in a mortuary.
In a statement by the Head of Media, MWUN, Comrade John Ikemefuna on Friday, the union described Okhiria as a thoroughbred unionist and committed dockworker whose contributions to the development and unity of the union would remain indelible.
Okhiria began his union career from the grassroots, rising through various positions, including Unit Chairman, District Organising Secretary and District Chairman, before he was elected Vice President of the Dockworkers Branch.
He served two four-year terms as Vice President under the leadership of the then President-General, Comrade (Prince) Dr Adewale Adeyanju.
He later served as Special Adviser to the Union’s President-General at the union’s headquarters, which was his last appointment before his death.
Described as a rugged and committed unionist, Okhiria was also regarded as one of the union’s foremost struggle fighters, who remained persistent in his efforts towards achieving the desired results and promoting sanity within the union.
His contributions, the union said, formed part of the efforts that helped foster the peace and tranquillity currently enjoyed by MWUN.
Ikemefuna said Okhiria would be remembered as an icon of the struggle to keep the union united, adding that his legacy would endure because of his immense contributions to the betterment of MWUN.
The late unionist hailed from Auchi in Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State, where he had his early elementary and secondary education before moving to Lagos in pursuit of his trade union career.
Reacting to the death, MWUN President-General, Comrade Francis Bunu Abi, described the development as a painful loss.
Bunu said the death of Okhiria had reminded members of the need to make positive contributions while alive, while describing the deceased as a respectful, obedient, calculative and disciplined unionist.
The union said Okhiria’s death was deeply felt by its executives and members, who expressed their wish that he had survived the illness, but acknowledged that God’s will had prevailed.
Okhiria was married and blessed with children.
MWUN prayed for the peaceful repose of his soul and for God to grant his family the strength to bear the loss.
