Tributes as ILO, NLC, TUC, others bid NECA DG, Olawale, farewell

The International Labour Organisation (ILO), Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and employers’ organisations, among others, yesterday, paid tributes to the Director-General of the Nigeria Employers’ Association of Nigeria (NECA), Dr. Timothy Olawale, who died at 56.

At the commendation service held in his honour and organised by NECA, Director, ILO Country Office for Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia Sierra Leone and Liaison Office for ECOWAS, Vanessa Phala, described the late Olawale as one who was diligent, hardworking and a believer in resolving labour-related issues using social dialogue.

President of the NLC, Ayuba Wabba, said the deceased was a tremendous social partner and an advocate for industrial harmony.

In his tribute, President of the TUC, Quadri Olaleye, said the late Olawale was more concerned about how social partners would come together to contribute their quota in resolving issues bedevilling the country.

Director-General of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Joseph Ari, said he could not forget in a hurry the deceased contribution on the Fund’s opening quota for youths to be exposed to technical skills and how his input increased the Fund’s capacity level above 40 per cent it was before.

Among some of the employers in their tributes, Chairman, NECA Committee of Human Resources and Learning Experts, Chuma Nwankwo, said Olawale’s short stay as DG was exemplary in simplicity and humility.

He described him as someone, who gave value and impacted positively on everyone he came in contact with.

President of NECA, Taiwo Adeniyi, said Olawale contributed immensely to national development and the promotion of industrial harmony and peace in the country.

He said this was exemplified in his role during the negotiation of the national minimum wage, relationship with social partners, the Organised Private Sector (OPS) of Nigeria and at the national labour advisory council.