ADVERTISEMENT

Akinlaja is indeed a household name in Nigeria, predominantly in the South West region of the country.

Historically, the family is linked to the Yoruba culture and tradition with many indelible milestones. The family has played a crucial role in the political and social landscape of Nigeria.

With notable and iconic figure like Hon. (Comrade) Joseph Iranola Akinlaja; he literally demonstrated capacity and rare distinctions in public service, both as a trade unionist and also in the political circle. He embodies reputation for integrity, a spartan lifestyle, and always of the belief that public office is a trust and not a windfall.

He is one leader who has consistently praised the character of discipline and high moral rectitude in his own leadership. He has described himself as a leader of quiet strength, discipline and enduring grace, and has urged those very close to him particularly his mentees to emulate these unblemished qualities that characterise the virtues of ‘Omoluabi’, a commitment rooted in honor, hardwork, diligence, loyalty, decorum, patience, forgiveness, wisdom, and self-restraint even at the risk of personal disadvantage.

Akinlaja is one of such few leaders who act out of compassion, altruism, empathy, and love, he is undeniably a key contributor to the moral good of humanity and community. For him, cooperation across differences is not weakness; it is wisdom. As a democrat, he is convinced that nation-building demands that political players should compete passionately and govern responsibly while also giving room for posterity to judge them kindly.

Akinlaja is a thorough bred public intellectual, a delight to every journalist in an interview, a devoted churchman, elder statesman, consummate Alternative Dispute Resolution expert, passionate federalist, ardent conciliator, and an indomitable rock of the progressive tradition of Yoruba politics.

Apart from his electrical electronics engineering background from the prestigious Yaba College of Technology, Yaba, Lagos in 1979, he proceeded to read Political Economy from Soviet Socialist Republic (USSR). He attended various Labour Relations course at the International Institute of Labour Studies (ILO) Geneva, Switzerland 1981.

He further attended a course in Economic Development in Africa by organization of African Trade Union Unity OATUU (1982), Industrial Relations Course at University of Ibadan 1982, a course in Financial Analysis of Enterprises, ILO Training Centre, Turin, Italy, 1992, a course in Trade Union Development by OATUU in Congo Democratic Republic (1993), a course in Management of Enterprises in De- Mofort University Johannesburg, South Africa 1998, a course in Management at London Management Centre (2003), a Training/Course in Mediation /Conciliation by Swedish Labour Institute 2006.

Subsequently, the Nigerian Institute of Chartered Arbitrators (NICArb) conferred on him qualified mediator’s status and was officially decorated as a Chartered Arbitrator on Thursday December 6, 2018 during the NICArb annual investiture and awards ceremony.

This highly revered septuagenarian also has a penchant for demonstrating commitment to the welfare of the underprivileged. Through his visionary initiatives and philanthropic endeavors, Akinlaja has solidified his position as a champion of progress, a beacon of hope, and a paragon of selfless service to various vulnerable segments of the society including indigent students, wisdows and the physically challenged.

Recounting his value to humanity, this Ondo-born entrepreneur who was born in April 1, 1950 succeeded in revolutionising the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) both administratively and operationally when he held sway as the General Secretary of the Union between year 2000 to 2004.

During his tenure, he spearheaded numerous struggles and negotiations that significantly improved the welfare of oil and gas workers. He is particularly credited, alongside other NUPENG leaders for fully organizing the Petroleum Tanker Drivers Branch of NUPENG (PTD-NUPENG), the “mechanized” arm of the union.

His dedication and leadership saw him rise to the position of Deputy President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC). After a distinguished career in trade unionism, he voluntarily retired from NUPENG in 2004 and essentially transitioned into active politics.

He contested and won a seat in the Federal House of Representatives, representing Ondo East/Ondo West Federal Constituency from June 2011 to June 2019.

He was a vocal voice in the hallowed chamber whose quality representation attracted many laurels locally and internationally. Akinlaja’s wealth of experience in the Nigeria Oil and Gas industry informed the decision of the then Speaker of the House of Representatives in the 8th Assembly, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara to appoint him as Chairman House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream).

Beyond his political and achievements in trade unionism, Comrade Akinlaja is also an accomplished businessman and author. He has documented his experiences and insights in several books, including NUPENG: An Example in Progressive Unionism, The Place of Petroleum Tanker Drivers in NUPENG, and his autobiography, LABOUR, POLITICS AND GRACE.

It is believed that good character is essential for effective leadership in public service, as it fosters a positive culture, enhances growth opportunities, and helps navigate uncertainties and challenges. Moreover, great leaders are a unifying force in organisations. They inspire people toward a shared vision for something better.

Great leaders equally create the conditions for making a meaningful impact. They elevate leadership consciousness, engender collaboration, and ensure everyone feels valued. By creating a sense of belonging, they create a pull towards contribution, empowering everyone to contribute, turning collective efforts into transformative change, that is what Akinlaja stands for and represents.

-Emmanuel Ajibulu is the editor-in-chief and publisher of Veracity Desk (veracitydesk.com), a general purpose online news platform (veracitydesk@gmail.com).

ADVERTISEMENT

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Managing Director of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), Barrister Olúwaṣeun Faleye has said economic activities and growth are anchored on the protection, responsibility to, and respect for the Nigeria worker.

Barrister Faleye stated this at a press conference to flag off the 2025 Safe Workplace Intervention Project (SWIP).

The project, a collaboration between the NSITF and the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Assembly, (NECA), was scheduled for the year 2025 but “operational exigencies on both sides made it necessary to reconvene in January, 2026,” according to the NSITF MD.

Delving into the purpose of the project, Faleye said “SWIP was conceived as a practical response to a persistent national
challenge: the reality that too many Nigerian workers remain
exposed to avoidable workplace risks, and too many employers
still do not fully understand, or comply with, the protections
provided under the Employees’ Compensation Act, 2010.”

“The core purpose of SWIP is simple but profound:
To save lives, protect livelihoods, and strengthen productivity by making workplace safety and compliance the norm rather than
the exception,” he added.

Justifying the NSITF-NECA project, Faleye submitted that “experience has shown us that laws alone do not change
behaviour. The Employees’ Compensation Act is robust, but its
effectiveness depends on awareness, trust, and consistent engagement.

“Many workplace injuries and fatalities occur not
out of malice, but because safety systems are weak, risks are
poorly understood, or compliance is viewed narrowly as a
regulatory burden.”

He explained that “SWIP was designed to close this gap,” and bring “the law to life by translating statutory provisions into practical understanding; it connects employers to the real business value of compliance; and it reinforces the idea that
workplace safety is not an abstract obligation, but a human,
economic, and productivity imperative.”

Barrister Faleye called on the media to help escalate workplace safety to national priority. In his words, “the role of the media in this effort cannot be overstated. By
telling these stories, highlighting best practices, and sustaining
public conversation, you help reposition workplace safety from
a peripheral issue to a national priority.”

The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Dr. Sally Ousmane, in an address at the press conference delivered on his behalf by the Director Regional Health and Safety, Mrs. Florence Owie, commended NSITF and NECA “for sustaining this laudable
initiative, which continues to make meaningful contributions to the strengthening of
Nigerian occupational safety and health.”

He opined that, “the Safe Workplace Intervention Project is a
clear demonstration of what can be achieved through effective collaboration between
governments, employers, and social security institutions.

“I am particularly pleased
that the audit components of this year’s project covered no fewer than 200 workplaces
in all six geopolitical zones of the country, with the active technical participation of the
Ministry’s Occupational Safety and Health Department.

“The Ministry’s involvement as the audit technical and implementation partner was aimed at ensuring that the process was conducted in line with national occupational
health and safety standards and global best practises.”

In his remarks at the occasion, the Director-General, Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association, NECA, Mr. Adewale Smatt Oyrrinde, said Occupation Safety and Health has become a “core convention of the International Labour Organization, (ILO.)”

The DG, while explaining that the goal of the SWIP awards is “to enhance voluntary compliance,” revealed that some winning organisations “will be presented ambulances and personal protective equipment in Lagos, Enugu, and Abuja on the 20th, 22nd and 27th of January 2026 respectively.

On the integrity of the selection process, Mr. Oyerinde said the process endured rigorous multi-level scrutiny auditing and vetting.

Looking ahead, he stated that focus of occupational health and safety would now shift to peculiar problems presented by AI, working at home and other technological innovations.

In a call-to-action address at the event, the Executive Director Operations, NSITF, Hon. Mojisola Ali-Macaulay identified the joint assessment by the Federal Ministry of Labour and NSITF
as a confirmation that safe workplaces are not
aspirational but are achievable when leadership, regulation, and
responsibility work together, exactly as intended by the Employees’
Compensation Act, 2010.”

She therefore, called on all employers to institutionalise preventive safety measures urgently, while enjoining awardee organisations to become active ambassadors, share best practices and help lift their entire sectors, even as she urged NECA to “intensify advocacy and employers’ mobilisation.”

She further called on all stakeholders to “sustain and deepen collaboration by enhancing more evidence-based
inspections, faster interventions, stronger enforcement.”

Lastly, Mrs. Ali-Macauley urged “the media and the Nigerian public” to “keep occupational safety and health in the spotlight. Safe work is everyone’s responsibility and a foundation for national productivity and economic stability.”

ADVERTISEMENT

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has imposed a four-match suspension and a $20,000 fine on former Cameroon captain Samuel Eto’o following his conduct during a 2026 Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final match.

According to a statement cited by BBC Sport, CAF ruled that Eto’o who currently serves as president of the Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT) breached the principles of sportsmanship during Cameroon’s quarter-final clash with host nation Morocco in Rabat. Cameroon lost the encounter 2–0.

CAF said the former Barcelona and Inter Milan striker displayed inappropriate behaviour on the sidelines, reacting angrily to several decisions made by match officials. CAF President Patrice Motsepe, who was present at the stadium, reportedly witnessed the incident.

Earlier this week, CAF announced it had opened an investigation into what it described as “violent confrontations and unacceptable behaviour” involving players and officials during several quarter-final matches at the tournament.

FECAFOOT has since rejected the disciplinary ruling, raising concerns about the fairness of the process. In a statement released on Wednesday, the federation said the decision “raises serious reservations about the fundamental requirements of a fair trial” and confirmed that it is considering an appeal.

Eto’o, widely regarded as one of Africa’s most successful footballers, has led the Cameroon Football Federation since 2021. However, his tenure has been marked by repeated controversies, including allegations of governance lapses and improper conduct within the federation.

While some football stakeholders in Cameroon have openly criticised his leadership style, Eto’o has consistently denied any wrongdoing, insisting that his administration has introduced meaningful reforms and recorded notable achievements.