…As State Chairman, Sego, Donates N1Million to Widow
In an unprecedented move, the leadership of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Lagos State Council, on Thursday presented cheques of N1.5 million each to the families of 25 deceased union members at an empowerment program.
An additional sum of N1 million was given to a widow of another late member whose family members were not present at the event.
The deceased had served the union diligently as executive members and trustees of various branches and zones in Lagos State before their passing.
Presenting the cheques, the Chairman of the Lagos Council of NURTW, Alhaji Mustapha Adekunle Adio, popularly known as Sego, disclosed that he was motivated by empathy to initiate this gesture and vowed to continue supporting the families of deceased, elderly, or vulnerable members who may no longer be active in the union.
Alhaji Sego commended the union’s pioneer leaders, promising he would uphold their vision of a better union where members’ welfare is paramount.
According to the chairman, the beneficiaries are families of the late executive members who passed between January and October 2024, including branch and zonal chairmen, vice chairmen, secretaries, treasurers, and trustees, among others.
“We are giving out the money without any sentiment, whether the deceased married one, two, or three wives. There is no discrimination; it is a flat rate of N1.5 million each.
“This initiative is not in our constitution, but we feel compelled to assist the family members of our late officials. Our leadership serves the people.
“We have met with the family members of the deceased and agreed on who would collect the N1.5 million on behalf of each family. This is our first major program, and we plan to do more. Bank alerts will go out today.
“I don’t have personal money to give; what we are distributing is from the union’s funds. We spend our resources to support our people, the state government, and our nation. We don’t throw money around like some others did,” he said.
A brief moment of drama unfolded when a widow of a deceased union official from Ikorodu, Comrade Wasiu Ogunbunmi, Mrs. Olufunmilayo Ogunbunmi, protested, saying her late husband’s cheque was not given to any beneficiary. She explained she was the third wife of the deceased, and her son is his youngest child.
In response, Comrade Sego assured the widow that, although the funds were from the union, he would personally give her N1 million to support her and her son.
The event, held at the Oko Oba Secretariat of the union, was met with applause from members, and families of the deceased expressed gratitude to the Sego-led union for remembering their loved ones during this challenging time in the country.
The families prayed fervently for the union, especially for Alhaji Sego, asking that “God will uphold, bless, guide, and strengthen him for the good of society.”
One beneficiary, Akinyode Adeyinka, expressed joy and said he and his elder sister would use the funds to complete their father’s building, praying that God would support the union in all its endeavors.
Oluwafunmilayo Ogunbunmi also thanked Alhaji Sego for the unexpected support.
“They didn’t inform me about the program beforehand; I only found out this morning. My name wasn’t on the list. I am both impressed and surprised that Alhaji Sego is personally giving me N1 million to support my business and take care of my son.
“I want to thank Comrade Sego for his support to all members of the Lagos State Council of the NURTW. I will use the money to care for my six-year-old son, pay my rent, and support my business,” she said.
Also speaking, the Secretary of the Council, Comrade Usman Teslim, said the event is the first of its kind since he joined the organization.
Comrade Teslim emphasized that Alhaji Sego believes he cannot allow the families of deceased members to suffer, and he urged beneficiaries to make judicious use of the union’s support.
“The state chairman wants to make an impact and change society’s perception of the union. He said there’s more to come. Today’s event is an empowerment program,” he noted.
Prince Idowu Onikoyi Johnson, Chairman of the Lagos Island Branch E of the union, commended the chairman’s initiative.
“For Alhaji Sego to look back and support the families of late members shows that he truly cares.
“He has many laudable programs. He’s a man who follows through on his word. We pray that Almighty God will guide, protect, and grant him the wisdom to achieve his goals,” he said.
