The Micheal Imodu Institute of Labour, the highest Labour Institute in Nigeria, has conferred an award of the Fellow of the Institute on the immediate past Chairman of the Nigerian Labour Congress, Comr. Onuh Edoka.
The award conferred on Comr. Edoka is the highest honour in the labour struggle, a struggle the former NLC Chairman has done for many years.
The Institute honoured Comr. Edoka with the honour of Fellow, Chairman Institute of Labour.
The Micheal Imodu Institute is a parastatal of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, conferred the award on Comr. Edoka along with other prominent labour leaders in Nigeria. Comr. Edoka is however the first and the only Kogi State Indigene to have been recognized and conferred with the honour.
The honour according to Comr. Edoka is most appreciated, explained that reaching the peak in the struggle in life, particularly in the labour movement remains the dream of every labour leader.
The honour according to Comr. Edoka, is coming after serving as two Chairman of the NLC, serving as the National Vice Chairman of the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria, he further disclosed would remain indelible in his life time.
Comr. Edoka thanked the Director General of the Institute for his eagle eyes that enabled him to identify Nigerians who have played key roles in the labour movement in Nigeria and to be so confer with such honours speaks volumes.
The Former NLC Chairman dedicated the award to all the workers of Kogi State, particularly paid glowing tribute to members of the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria.
Comr. Edoka has been in the labour movement since 1996, dedicated award for the struggle to emancipate the Nigerian workers through agitation for Improved welfare and other packages as a tonic that would spur him to do more for the Nigerian workers and the society at large.
Comr. Edoka started his labour carrier as a branch Secretary, Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria Olamaboro LGA in 1995.
He equally served as Kogi East Zonal Secretary in 1996 Kogi. He also sincerely served as branch Chairman, Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria in 1997, served till 2000.
Similarly, Comr Edoka was elected as Zonal Chairman Kogi east 1998 to 2001, before he was elected State Treasurer Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria between 2001 to 2005 for a first tenure and in 2005 to 2009 for a second term.
In 2009 September 17th, Comr Edoka was elected the State Chairman of Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria for first term and by 19th October 2014 he again was reelected for a second term as Chairman of Medical and Health Workers in the State.
Comr. Edoka equally served as the chairman Joint Health Sector Union ( JOHSU) and also served as the Chairman of all unions in Kogi State By 25 April 2015.
Comr. Edoka was elected to the office of State Chairman Nigeria Labour Congress for the first term, and by April 2019, he was re-elected as chairman Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC ), making him the first in history to be elected back to back in the history of Kogi State NLC.
Currently, Comr. Edoka is the National Vice President of the Medical and Health Workers, Union of Nigeria North Central Zone, with 6 state and FCT.
From a humble background as Financial Secretary, and Social Director of Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in 1990, was popularly referred to as small Labour boy.
In a very struggle of life, reaching the end for the best is the greatest success, Comr. Edoka thanked his friends and family members for their support, equally appreciated the Kogi State Government.
The Award was conferred on Comr. Edoka, yesterday, 9th May 2023, at Michael Imoudu Institute of Labour, Ilorin kwara State.
