This is, unfortunately, a season of burials at the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC). The labour centre has lost two staff within a short space of time.
The late Maureen Onyia-Ekwuazi
The late Barr Emma Ugboaja
Both Barrister Emma Ugboaja, General Secretary of NLC since 2019 and Maureen Onyia-Ekwuazi, a veteran NLC staffer, died in August 2026 in the United States.
While Comrade Ugboaja is scheduled for burial November 14th, 2026 in his home state of Abia in Southeast of Nigeria, Comrade Maureen Onyia-Ekwuazi is to be buried on January 7th, 2027 also in the Southeast.
A number of activities have characterised the rites of passage for the two out of those who experienced the NLC which has a heritage of being the hub of radical nationalism in Nigerian politics. Among others, colleagues, activists and friends have been pooling rhetorical, material and cultural resources in solidarity.
What a time for the labour movement to lose older hands!
