The Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service, Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE) has elected new national executives at its 7th Quadrennial National Delegates Conference in Kano. Comrade Eugene Manji was elected as the new National President, alongside other national officers. The election was supervised by the Registrar of Trade Unions, who commended delegates for their peaceful and transparent conduct.
The new national executives include National Deputy Presidents Comrade Uzu Fidelis and Comrade Ibrahim Kirfi, National Vice Presidents for various zones, National Treasurer Comrade Farotimi Olusoji, and National Auditors Comrade Rashila Alkali and Comrade Nnamachi Anthony. The Registrar of Trade Unions, representing the Minister of Labour and Employment, oversaw the election process. In his acceptance speech, Comrade Manji thanked delegates for the confidence reposed in him and his team, pledging to serve and reposition the union.
The Kano conference marked the end of an era for Comrade Benjamin Anthony, who led AUPCTRE for eight years. His tenure was characterized by resilience, stability, and strategic victories. Under his leadership, AUPCTRE moved from crisis management to becoming a model union in the Nigeria Labour Congress family. Comrade Anthony's greatest strength was dispute resolution through mature engagement without compromising workers' interests.
During Comrade Anthony's leadership, AUPCTRE resolved a three-year industrial face-off with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and secured an out-of-court settlement ending a 14-year legal battle with the Anambra State government. His constructive engagement with the new Registrar-General, Hussaini Magaji, led to the dispensing of protracted disciplinary cases and restoration of industrial harmony.
Comrade Anthony's leadership also earned him and his executive the honour of being decorated as Ambassadors of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON). He made workers' education a cardinal programme, insisting on continuous training, gender mainstreaming, and availability of education materials to all organs of the union. Comrade Anthony was a frontline voice against water privatization, advocating for Public-Public Partnerships (PuP) instead of Public Private Partnerships (PPPs).
As Comrade Buba of the Federal Zone noted, Comrade Anthony's leadership has been upright, unassuming, and a game-changer. Comrade Anthony's trajectory has been one of steady, transparent, and accountable service, from Secretary Administration, FCT Council in 2004, to National President and now NLC National Vice President. He leaves behind a united, financially accountable, and militant union.
Comrade Eugene Manji inherits a union with a strong foundation, built under Comrade Benjamin Anthony's leadership. The new National President faces the task of building on this legacy, ensuring the union continues to defend workers' rights and promote their interests. The AUPCTRE conference in Kano demonstrated the union's commitment to democratic processes and effective leadership.
Key points
- AUPCTRE elects new national executives at its 7th Quadrennial National Delegates Conference in Kano.
- Comrade Eugene Manji elected as new National President, succeeding Comrade Benjamin Anthony.
- Outgoing President Comrade Anthony leaves behind a united, financially accountable, and militant union.
