President of Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), Festus Osifo; a past president, Peter Esele and the immediate past general secretary, Lumumba Okugbawa, have stressed the need for unionists to cultivate the spirit of sacrifice to build a virile labour movement.

Esele said that the labour movement was born out of the willingness of the early leaders to sacrifice their comfort for the collective interest of the working class.

Speaking at the 20th anniversary of the death of its first President, Marcus Okoro, who died in the Sosoliso airline crash in 2005, Esele said: “Unions grow on sacrifice. What we enjoy today is built on the pain, courage, and commitment of those who came before us.”

Elected President of PENGASSAN in April 2005, Okoro’s tenure was tragically cut short on December 10, 2005, when he died in the fatal Sosoliso Airlines crash.

PENGASSAN leaders described Okoro as a ‘corporate unionist’ in the noblest sense – strategic, principled, and people-centred.

He understood the burdens of leadership, the weight of sacrifice, and the responsibility of carrying workers’ hopes in difficult political and industrial climates.

Esele, reflecting on Okoro’s leadership journey, recalled his resilience in the face of political setbacks, his calm acceptance of electoral outcomes, and his ability to re-strategise without bitterness.

He said Okoro exemplified the rare union leader who placed institution above ambition, unity above ego, and legacy above personal gain.

Beyond organisational milestones, Okugbawa exuded a deep reflection on Okoro’s human depth, his spiritual convictions, moral counsel, and the quiet ways he influenced lives, including colleagues and family members, long after his passing.

The former general secretary noted that Okoro’s widow’s testimony of strength, renewal, and eventual restoration was cited as evidence that Okoro’s labour did not end with his death.

Osifo highlighted that the commemoration was not merely about nostalgia, but about sending a clear message to PENGASSAN members, the labour movement, and the wider world that true leaders are never forgotten.

He noted that Okoro’s legacy remains firmly etched in the history of Nigeria’s labour movement, particularly within the oil and gas sector, where many of the rights and protections workers enjoy today were won through sustained struggle, courage and collective action.

Beyond honouring Okoro, Osifo said the remembrance carried a broader message for Nigeria’s political class and those entrusted with public authority.

Leadership, he stressed, is ultimately judged by service and impact, not by wealth accumulation or the length of time spent in office.

He contrasted such service-driven leadership with the fate of leaders whose names only resurface in connection with corruption scandals and recovered looted funds, noting that many of today’s children struggle to recall them except when illicit wealth is being returned from abroad.

Osifo urged Nigeria’s leaders to reflect on the fleeting nature of power and material accumulation, questioning the value of owning vast properties while millions struggle without necessities.