Alhaji Tokunbo Korodo, former South West Zonal Chairman of Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), has urged the newly elected national executive to focus on members’ welfare.

Korodo gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Lagos.

According to him, William Akporeha’s victory as NUPENG national presidend is a divine call as an experienced comrade to use his wisdom to serve the union.

He urged the new NUPENG national executive to ensure that they followed the footsteps of their predecessors.

Korodo said that some members of the union were facing difficulties due to anti labour practices by some International Oil Companies (IOCs), adding that the new NUPENG president should use his office to fight the injustice.

“The newly elected national president has passed through all the structures and organs of the union before taking over the mantle of leadership.

“He is a pure democrat, therefore members should rejoice for better days to come.

“Akporeha was once a victim of leadership persecution by the management in the course of fighting for members’ freedom, so, he should not desist from this,” he said.

NAN reports that on April 6, NUPENG elected Williams Akporeha as its new president during the union’s 4th Quadrennial National Delegates Conference in Port Harcourt.

The successful election was presided over by Joe Ajaero, President of the United Labour Congress (ULC).

NAN also reports that the NUPENG’s president-elect, Akpohera, was immediate past national treasurer of the union.

The new NUPENG executive would run the affairs of the union for the next four years in line with NUPENG’s extant rules.

The delegates conference had Gov. Nyesom Wike of Rivers as the guest of honour, while the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, was the chairman of the event.