Feelers emerging from the ongoing 5th Ordinary Congress of ITUC-Africa, taking place in Nairobi, Kenya, indicate that Nigeria’s Akhator Odigie Joel is favoured to emerge as general secretary of the regional organisation for Africa.
The position of the General Secretary becomes vacant following the expiration of the tenure of Kwasi Adu-Amankwah, the current holder of the position.
Joel is the current Deputy General Secretary of the ITUC-Africa and is at the cusps of making history as the first staff of ITUC-AFRICA to come through the ranks and emerge General Secretary.
The Nigerian comes into the contest with a huge resume and experience in organising workers and advocating for the defence, protection, and promotion of their rights.
Our Correspondent reports that comrade Joel has received the backing of many of the delegates to the Congress, who describe him as “very resourceful”. He received overwhelming numbers of nominations across the continent, including the Nigeria Labour Congress which is championing his election.
Akhator Odigie Joel is the only candidate with a valid nomination and is set to be returned unopposed as the sole candidate for the position. The document on the nominations released by the Secretariat of the ITUC-Africa shows that there is an aspirant from Burkina Faso with a self-nomination. Feelers are rift that this nomination is invalid as it does not enjoy endorsement from any other affiliates of the ITUC-Africa.
ITUC-AFRICA is the umbrella body of trade unions in Africa representing the interests of 30 million workers with affiliates in 51 out of the 54 African countries. It is headquartered in Lome, Togo. The 5th Delegates Congress started with pre-Congress activities on issues of trade, women, and youth. The main Congress will be on the 28-30 November 2923 under the theme “Amka Afrika” – a clarion call to reawakening to contribute to the attainment of transformative and shared change.
