Shock as Prominent Nigerian Labour Leader Dies During ILO Conference in Geneva

The Nigerian labour movement and the country's official diplomatic delegation to Switzerland have been thrown into deep mourning following the sudden death of prominent trade unionist, Comrade Domingo Michael Adeleke.

Adeleke passed away on Monday after a brief, unexpected illness in Geneva, Switzerland, where he was actively representing Nigerian workers at the ongoing 114th Session of the International Labour Conference (ILC), organized by the International Labour Organisation (ILO).

Until his untimely death, Comrade Adeleke was a highly respected member of the Nigeria Civil Service Union (NCSU) and served as the Chairman of the Lagos State Joint Negotiating Council (JNC). He was widely recognized across the country for his fierce dedication to workers' welfare, structural civil service reforms, and his relentless advocacy for decent work conditions.

Confirming the tragic news in a statement, the Assistant General Secretary of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Chris Onyeka, expressed profound shock over the loss, describing Adeleke as a dedicated comrade who died while actively serving the cause of the Nigerian workforce on the global stage.

“Comrade Domingo was a committed trade unionist whose dedication to Nigerian workers and the struggle for decent work took him to the global stage right to the end. His loss is felt deeply by all who knew him and worked alongside him.We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, the NLC family, and all comrades across Lagos state,” Onyeka stated.

The NLC leadership delegation in Switzerland has already visited the hospital in Annemasse, France, where his body is being kept, to pay their final respects. The Congress, alongside the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, has officially commenced the necessary administrative processes to repatriate his remains back to Nigeria.

The international conference, which opened on June 1 and features policymakers, government officials, and union leaders from 187 member states, continues under a somber cloud for the Nigerian contingent as they process the painful loss of one of their most vibrant grassroots negotiators.

What are your thoughts on the sudden passing of Comrade Domingo Adeleke while serving on the global stage? Please drop your tributes and condolences for his family and the Nigerian labour movement below!

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