“His Excellency was not surprised that crop of leadership have lived above board to achieve this wonderful feat”-His Excellency, Gov. Kayode Fayemi.
This reflects the musings of those present about the outstanding leadership abilities of the FOBTOB and TUC President, Comrade Quadri Olaleye, and was voiced out by the executive governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi, who was ably represented by Chief Oluyemi Esan, the Senior Special Assistant to the governor on Labour Matters, at the commissioning of the newly constructed multi-million naira, 42-roomed FOBTOB hostel.
FOBTOB Hostel commissioned in Oye-Ekiti
The Food, Beverage and Tobacco Senior Staff Association (FOBTOB),has received commendations from different quarters for its astonishing achievements that distinguishes it from other trade unions or labour associations.
The leadership of FOBTOB by Comrade Olaleye has resulted in the association’s incredible progress for the past five years. Like Gov. Fayemi also noted through his representative, the association had gone beyond the mundane and had developed into one that not only caters for the welfare of its members but also economically benefits them and the society at large by being employers of labour through its projects.
FOBTOB has constructed in all, three student hostels in different parts of the country- the first in 2017, located at Kwara State University, Kwara State; the second in 2018, located at Auchi Polytechnic, Edo State; and now the third in 2020, located around the vicinity of Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti State.
Expressing surprise at these feats of the association, royal father of the day, the Oloye of Oyeland, Oba (Sir) Michael Oluwole Ademolaju Adugbole III said, “I was not aware labour unions get involved in things like this, I was thinking yours is just to complain and complain all the time”.
He further commended the association for being different from what is usually obtainable saying that; “Unionist money is being shared before, they don’t make anything out of it, just look for the four years in office to grab what you can grab”.
Oba Ademolaju praised the President of FOBTOB, Comrade Olaleye for being ‘solid’, ‘seriously energetic’ and ‘well brought up’; still with enthused fervour said he wishes to ‘befriend him more’.
Members of FOBTOB NEC, were equally not short of praises for the leadership of the President and called on the government of the day to emulate the style of leadership practised by Comrade Olaleye which is all-inclusive, transparent and accountable.
Comrade Olaleye, while appreciating all the guests, said; “FOBTOB as you all know, is a strong union comprising of people who mutually relate together for the purpose of protecting jobs, ensure food security and improve the standard of living of its teeming members and thus impact greatly on socio-economic activities.”
He described the new addition to FOBTOB hostels as “another tangible and concrete manifestation of a bold idea, the association’s passion for affecting the lives of younger generations, and the Buddhist nature of the leadership of the association”.
Oba Ademolaju cutting the ribbon during the commissioning
Comrade Olaleye equally thanked the central working committee of the National Executive Council for working alongside him, and acknowledged the great job they had done in bringing the project to completion and in organising the NEC meeting as well as the commissioning of the FOBTOB hostel.
The Central Working Committee members include; the Deputy National President, Comrade Jimoh Oyibo; the National Treasurer, Comrade Adebayo Aderogba; the Vice President North Zone, Comrade Habib Bala Hussaini; the Vice President West Zone, Comrade Adesanya Olubunmi; the National Internal Auditor, Comrade Naziru Musa Bichi.
Also, the Trustee North Zone, Comrade Friday Garba; the Trustee East Zone, Comrade Christopher Amadi; the Trustee West Zone, Comrade Patrick Sule; National Ex-officio Women, Comrade Olivia Odunukwe; National Ex-officio, Comrade Lanre Yusuff; Acting General Secretary, Comrade Peter Iyeye; Deputy General Secretary, Comrade Jumoke Oladimeji; and Accountant of the association, Comrade Tunde Adams.
Recall that CEOAfrica had earlier reported on the activities of FOBTOB in Ekiti which started with the arrival of the members of the National Executive Council and other invited guests at their allotted hotels, the NEC meeting which followed on the 15th of October, 2020, the commissioning of the new FOBTOB students’ hostel on the 16th of October, 2020 and eventually, the reception after the commissioning.
Members at the NEC meeting were all awarded certificates for their participation in FOBTOB activities and three Branch Chairmen namely; Comrade Adesola Ajayi, Comrade Adekunle Ibrahim and Comrade Dennis Oyiboka, got awarded 200,000 naira each for their excellent stewardship at the branch level.
Deputy National President receiving Certificate of Participation from National President Comrade Quadri Olaleye
The next day’s commissioning of FOBTOB hostel 3 was a formidable event that was attended by distinguished guests such as; the Oloye of Oyeland, Oba (Sir) Michael Oluwole Ademolaju Adugbole III; Governor Kayode Fayemi who was ably represented by his Senior Special Assistant on labour matters, Chief Oluyemi Esan; HRD Dangote Flour Nig. Limited, Alhaji Danjuma Datti; HRD Cadbury Nig. PLC, Mr Wole Odubayo; former President of FOBTOB, Chief Dele Olowo Orioye; TUC Ekiti State Chairperson, Comrade Shola Adigun; Secretary General TUC, Comrade Musa Lawal; and the Chairman of the day in absentia and Managing Director of FrieslandCampina WAMCO , Ben Langat.
Members cutting cake at the reception
