Lai Mohammed, Okowa, others console family, RATTAWU
The Odugala family of Oleh in Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta state has announced the sad passing on Friday, November 4, of their son, Comrade Henry Odugala, after a brief illness.

The late Henry Odugala was at the time of death, General Secretary of Radio Television Theatre Arts Workers Union (RATTAWU) and also an ordained minister with the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).

Born on June 14, 1962 and aged 54, Odugala had his educational career at Isoko Central School, Oleh; Emore Grammar School, Oleh (pioneer set); BA, MA Hons (History) University of Benin. His working career started at the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) before joining Degue Broadcasting Network (DBN).

As a steadfast labour leader and human rights activist, his forays through various active leadership roles through the Nigeria Labour Congress, Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) in their political forays, agitations and movement led to the re- enthronement of democratic governance in Nigeria.

His career in labour circles peaked with his emergence as the scribe of Rattawu, a tenure laden with several achievements aimed at the welfare and comfort of workers in that labour establishment.

A date for final Christian burial rites would soon be announced by the family.Meanwhile, Honourable Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Minister of Labour, Senator Chris Ngige and governor of Delta State, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa have joined numerous Nigerians that have commiserated with the labour union, Rattawu and the Odugala family over the sudden death of Henry.

In a statement titled “We Have Lost a Star,” signed by the NLC General Secretary, Comrade Peter Ozo-Eson, he said the congress is deeply saddened by the sudden death of Comrade Henry Odugala, General Secretary of the Radio Television and Theatre Arts Workers Union (RATTAWU). He described him as a cerebral unionist with deep convictions and capacity for spontaneity, which he deployed with flourish at public for a. He added that his presentation, skills and carriage were inimitable.

Ozo-Eson said, “Odugala did not trust the system, no matter how benevolent, and accordingly called for eternal vigilance of progressive forces. He was equally a strong believer in the culture of internal governance in unions, as a panacea to corruption and dictatorship.

“His humility was unmistakable as he cultivated the young and the old, the high and the mighty, often with an outstretched hand and a smile. Even before becoming General Secretary of, arguably, one of our most vocal unions, Odugala had earned his stripes as a committed progressive in both Student Union Movement, Civil Society and political organisations, especially NADECO, on the basis of which he was a regular guest of the state.

“On Odugala’s broad shoulders and measured steps rested rebellion of a kind. Perhaps, one of his greatest attributes was his flair for combining humour with serious work and for moulding something out of the mischievous and the sublime. Odugala’s death is a blow not only to his union or the Nigeria Labour Congress, but the entire Labour Movement.”

On his part, Mohammed expressed shock over the sudden death of the General Secretary of RATTAWU, Mr. Henry Odugala. In a statement issued on Saturday, the Minister said the death of Odugala is a huge loss to the labour movement, the media and the nation at large.

He described Odugala, who died on Friday, as an outstanding and devoted public servant, who displayed uncommon passion and commitment to the welfare of journalists, especially those in the electronic media where he was a broadcaster. Mohammed expressed his condolences to RATTAWU and the family of the deceased, urging them to take solace in the fact that Odugala lived a life worthy of emulation. He prayed God to grant repose to the soul of the departed and grant his family the fortitude to bear their irreparable loss. (NAN)

Delta State governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, has also expressed deep sympathy to RATTAWU and the Odugala family over the death of General Secretary and father, late Comrade Henry Odugala. In a statement by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Charles Ehiedu Aniagwu, Okowa said he was deeply touched by the death of Comrade Odugala, a well-known and respected media practitioner and labour leader in the country. Okowa described Comrade Odugala as a trusted and committed labour leader, whose invaluable support and contributions to labour movement will be missed by all and sundry.

“On behalf of my family, the government and people of Delta State, I mourn the demise of Comrade Henry Odugala, who, until his death, was the General Secretary of RATTAWU.

“Henry Odugala’s contributions to Nigeria’s democratic development through his objective management of information, as a broadcaster both while working with the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) and Degue Broadcasting Network (DBN) will be missed.”

The statement further urged Henry Odugala’s family to see the death of their beloved patriarch as an act of God, and urged the children of the deceased to emulate the exemplary life of their father and be consoled by the knowledge that their late father lived a worthy and very fulfilled life in the service of his family and organised labour in Delta State.

Okowa prayed that God will grant RATTAWU, organised labour and the Odugala family the fortitude to bear the loss of Comrade Henry Odugala and prayed God almighty to grant him eternal rest.

Also, the Minister of Labour and and Employment, Sen. Chris Nwabueze Ngige, said the death of the General Secretary of RATTAWU, Comrade Henry Odugala, is a huge loss to labour and the nation, adding that his immense contributions to the struggle for a better working conditions for journalists will be greatly missed.

While expressing utter disbelief at his sudden demise, Sen. Ngige said labour has lost one of its leaders whose insistence on social dialogue, as a way to industrial harmony was exemplary.

“The issue of improved remuneration for practising 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.”

Continuing, the Minister noted, “that Odugala passed on just a 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.

“I, therefore, wish to send deep condolences to his family, RATTAWU, the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) on this sad development.”Ngige, in a statement by his Deputy Director of Press, Mr. Samuel Olowookere, further prayed God Almighty to grant him eternal rest and comfort the family he left behind.
[ad unit=2]