20 years on: How PENGASSAN walked the talk for its own

“You are Soul. It is the real you. You are a timeless, deathless spark of God—in love, strength, and beauty—upheld by the always present Light and Sound, the Holy Spirit.”— Harold Klemp

In June 2005, the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) elected Comrade Uche Marcus Okoro as its 12th President. It was a heated election, as most are, but what set it apart was the clarity of purpose among members—they knew why they had joined the union.

Comrade Brown Ogbeifun, the sitting President, had chosen not to seek re-election due to his elevation. Instead, he approached me to run for Deputy President. I was hesitant. He persisted, even enlisting Comrade Shina Luwoye, a former President and now Maiyegun of Egbaland. They wanted a “Yin-Yang” balance—Okoro’s fire, my calm. Brown, a nurse by profession, said the data showed I was the only candidate who could enter the race late and still win. I asked for time to sleep on it.

The campaign against Okoro centred on his lack of a university degree—a shallow argument for someone who had served as Zonal Chairman in Port Harcourt. Politics, sadly, often clouds reason.

Near midnight, there was a knock on my hotel door. It was Okoro. He pleaded with me to run. I asked why. He gave three reasons: my temperament, my loyalty to PENGASSAN, and most touchingly, that he needed someone he could trust with his family.

Later, in Rockview Hotel, Comrades Brown and Shina made their case again. “We want a thinker behind Okoro,” Shina said bluntly. They had worked with him and believed he was the right man for the presidency. There were no joint tickets—each candidate stood on their own merit. I entered the race just two days before the election. Okoro won. I won. A new Central Working Committee was born.

I negotiated to remain active in my professional role—no sabbatical. I would attend CWC and NEC meetings while continuing my work.

President Okoro was visionary. He initiated a strategic training program at the now-defunct National Labour College in Mayland. Our goal: within five years, PENGASSAN would lead the Trade Union Congress, giving our industry a stronger voice.

Before the training concluded, Okoro left for an assignment in Abuja. We had built a strong bond since his days as Zonal Chairman. He always kept me informed. At 12:10 PM Abuja time, he called:

“Comrade, I’m boarding a Sosoliso flight to Port Harcourt. How’s the training going? “Fine, Comrade President,” I replied.“I need to call my wife before the aircraft starts taxiing. “Okay. Safe journey, Comrade.”

Hours later, news broke of a plane crash in Port Harcourt. While in transit through London, our National Publicity Secretary, Aminu Zaria, confirmed the devastating truth: Comrade Uche Marcus Okoro was among the 108 lives lost in the Sosoliso tragedy.

I was shattered. But our ethos—an injury to one is an injury to all—kept me going. Our constitution was clear: I would act as President for 90 days and then call for an election.

I convened an emergency CWC and NEC meeting. I proposed a trust fund for the education of Okoro’s children. Every proposal was unanimously approved.

Today ( December 10th ) marks the 20th anniversary of Comrade Okoro’s passing. His children have flourished: a mechanical engineer, software engineer, data analyst, an electrical/electronics expert, and a medical doctor. His wife, once a full-time homemaker, is now a manager at the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (formerly DPR). All this would not have been possible without the support of the rank and file of our great association.

Comrade Okoro remains the only man to have served as President of both NUPENG and PENGASSAN—a feat that speaks to his patience, grit, and unwavering commitment to labour.

To those who came before me—Comrades Shina Luwoye and Brown Ogbeifun—thank you for your guidance. To those who came after—Comrades Babatunde Ogun, F.O. Johnson, Ndukaku Ohaeri, Frank Esanubi, and the current President Festus Osifo—thank you for keeping the flag flying.

My gratitude also goes to the Government and people of Rivers State, led by Dr. Peter Odili, who was the Governor when this unfortunate incident occurred.

I have never been prouder to be part of this union. Yes, we are PENGASSAN. Yes, we walk our talk. Yes, we protect our own.

Comrade Peter Esele is the former president of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria ( PENGASSAN)