Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, and President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero, have led tributes to the late NLC Secretary-General, Comrade Emmanuel Okechukwu Ugboaja, describing him as an accomplished labour leader whose contributions to workers and society would remain indelible.
The tributes were made on Friday, November 13, 2026, during a night of tributes organised by the Abia State Government in honour of the late labour leader at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia.
Governor Otti, who described Ugboaja’s death at the age of 60 as painful, said the deceased had made remarkable contributions to the labour movement and left behind a legacy worthy of celebration.
The governor noted that Ugboaja was the first and only indigene of Abia State to occupy the position of NLC Secretary-General among the five individuals who had served in that capacity.
“Out of the five Secretaries-General of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Emmanuel Ugboaja was the only one from Abia State. He was the first NLC Secretary-General from our state, and that is a significant achievement,” Otti stated.
He said the true measure of a person’s life was not necessarily the number of years lived but the quality of their impact and the legacy they left behind.
Otti expressed confidence that the late labour leader had fulfilled his earthly assignment, urging his family to draw strength from their Christian faith and the hope of resurrection.
“From everything we have heard about him today, we have no doubt that Comrade Emmanuel Ugboaja finished his race here on earth. There are no mistakes with God,” he said.
The governor further encouraged the bereaved family not to grieve without hope, expressing the belief that the deceased would rise to eternal life on the resurrection morning.
He prayed for the peaceful repose of Ugboaja’s soul and safe journeys for all those who attended the event.
In his tribute, NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, described Ugboaja as a committed labour leader and a worthy son of the organised labour movement.
Ajaero recalled that his relationship with the deceased dated back to 1993, when both were actively involved in their respective professional and trade union activities.
He said Ugboaja was a man of strong conviction who consistently championed workers’ interests and contributed significantly to the growth and development of organised labour.
The NLC president also called for the preservation of the late labour leader’s memory and legacy, noting that his death served as a reminder of the transient nature of human existence.
Other labour leaders, including the Secretary of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Engr. Festus Osifu, and Abia State NLC Chairman, Comrade Okoro Ogbonaya, also paid glowing tributes to the deceased.
They described Ugboaja as a humble, remarkable and eloquent personality whose life was a blessing to humanity, the Nkpa community and Abia State.
The labour stakeholders said his death was a devastating loss to the labour movement and prayed God to grant his family the strength to bear the loss.
Speaking on behalf of the family, the deceased’s brother, Mr Patrick Ugboaja, described him as a national and international figure who remained deeply connected to his roots.
He said the late labour leader was also a farmer, a devoted family man and a friendly personality who related warmly with people without discrimination.
Patrick expressed appreciation to Governor Otti, the Abia State Government and everyone who supported the family during their period of mourning.
Similarly, the deceased’s son, Emmanuel Ugboaja Jnr., described his father as a disciplined man who understood the importance of balancing professional responsibilities with recreation.
He said his father’s emphasis on discipline, focus, hard work and determination had left lasting lessons for him and his younger siblings.
He also recalled his father’s generosity and commitment to helping others, describing them as qualities that would continue to inspire the family.
Earlier, in a sermon titled “Before the Translation: What Will Be Your Testimony?”, based on Hebrews 11:5, Very Rev. Dr Emmanuel Chukwuma challenged the congregation to live meaningful lives and build positive legacies before their departure from the world.
The cleric also commended Governor Otti for his developmental efforts in Abia State and expressed optimism about his chances of securing a second term.
