The Chairman, Senior Staff Association of Universities Teaching Hospital Research Institute And Institutes [SSAUTHRIAI] Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Abeokuta, Comrade Basheer Obabiyi has been reported dead.
Penpushing reports that the death of Obabiyi was made known on Monday, a sad development which shook the management and staff of the hospital, describing him as the voice of the voiceless and shield of the workers.
The statement equally described the deceased, as the bridge between management and staff at the Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta, who until his demise lived for the union, stressing that as chairman of the association carried the weight of the union with courage and integrity.
‘As Chairman of the Senior Staff Association of Universities, Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutes and Associated Institutions [SSAUTHRIAI], FMC Abeokuta, he carried the weight of the union with courage and integrity. He understood that a union is not about power, but about protecting dignity, welfare, and justice for every member’, the statement emphasised.
Penpushing further reports that under his leadership Senior Staff Association of Universities, Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutes and Associated Institutions [SSAUTHRIAI], Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Abeokuta stood firm on workers welfare
‘He fought for timely payment of salaries, allowances, and benefits. No staff was too junior for him to defend. He pushed for better working environments for health workers who risk their lives daily’, the statement stated.
‘He believed in dialogue first. He negotiated, reasoned, and only stood firm when the rights of members were threatened. He encouraged training, unity among senior and junior staff, and collaboration with other unions like NMA, NANNM, and JOHESU for the common good’, it added.
‘He ran the union with transparency, ensuring members knew what was being done and why. He was the kind of comrade who would attend a midnight emergency meeting for a staff member in trouble, draft a report at dawn, and still be at work at 8am. That was his commitment’.
Penpushing also reports that the statement emphassised that Obabiyi was not a man of noise, but a man of action, who fought battles many were afraid to fight, not for personal gain, but because he believed no worker should be oppressed in their place of work.
The statement said his death was a great loss to the association, and to the labour movement in Ogun State, adding that his legacy remains in every policy he influenced, every worker he helped, and every young comrade he mentored.
‘His philosophy was simple: “An injury to one is an injury to all.” That is the true spirit of trade unionism, and he lived it. We will remember him for his boldness, his humility, and his refusal to compromise on justice’, the workers said
Penpushing reports that the bereaved workers prayed that Almighty Allah forgive all his shortcomings, accept his service to humanity, and grant him Aljanat Firdaus, and the family and the entire labour family the fortitude to bear this irreplaceable loss, stressing that his name will not be forgotten.
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