Nigerian Union Honors Leader 20 Years After Plane Crash

Twenty years after losing their president in a tragic plane crash, Nigeria's oil and gas workers gathered to prove that true leadership never fades from memory.

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) hosted "A Day of Tribute" on Saturday in Abuja, honoring Comrade Uche Marcus Okoro, who died in the Sosoliso air crash on December 10, 2005. His widow Lilian and family members joined oil sector dignitaries at the Transcorp Hilton for the emotional ceremony.

Current PENGASSAN President Festus Osifo told attendees the union deliberately chose this moment to send a powerful message. "We do not forget our leaders, irrespective of how much time has passed," he said, explaining that the tribute reassures families that the union stands by its leaders even after death.

Okoro had served as president of both PENGASSAN and another major petroleum workers' union during his career. His work focused on advancing wages and working conditions for Nigeria's oil and gas employees, fighting for improvements that workers still benefit from today.

Osifo used the occasion to challenge Nigeria's political leaders about their own legacies. "When you lead well, you will be remembered," he said, contrasting leaders who serve selflessly with those whose names only come up when looted funds surface abroad.

Why This Inspires

The ceremony demonstrates how authentic service outlasts any single lifetime. Former PENGASSAN President Peter Esele, who left the position 18 years ago, shared that mentioning his past leadership still resonates because the union built something meaningful.

"PENGASSAN does not owe me anything," Esele told the crowd. "For the rest of my life, I owe PENGASSAN." He explained that the union transformed his salary and career, making his eventual presidency simply "icing on the cake."

Both leaders emphasized that today's worker benefits didn't come from government kindness or employer generosity. They resulted from PENGASSAN's firmness, principles, and courage over decades of advocacy.

Esele delivered a simple challenge to anyone in power: "When you live a life of love and service, simplicity follows." He argued that choosing service over self-interest brings happiness that spreads to families, communities, and everyone who wants to see you succeed.

Okoro's widow attended the tribute, remembering her husband's deep commitment to helping ordinary workers even when it meant sacrificing personal time and comfort.

The union's decision to honor Okoro two decades later proves that legacy isn't about wealth or power, but about how many lives you improve while you have the chance to serve.