The Ministry of Petroleum Resources has expressed deep sympathy with the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) on the demise of its president, Mr Francis Olabode Johnson.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr Folashade Yemi-Esan, made this known in a statement issued by the ministry in Abuja.Yemi-Esan said: “On behalf of the management and staff of the ministry, I express deep sympathy and condole with the National Executive Council (NEC) and the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) over the sad death of its National President, Mr Francis Olabode Johnson.
” Johnson led PENGASSAN and the ministry enjoyed a very cordial relationship with the entire rank and file of PENGASSAN for the growth of the oil and gas sector in particular and the advancement of the nation in general,” she said.
She noted that the ministry would greatly miss his cool head, calm disposition and great grasp of the trends and understanding of policy directions of Government.
”Our sympathies also goes to the wife and children of Johnson and we pray to God to grant her and the rest of the Johnson family the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss, Amen,” she added.
Also Labour unions including the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) and the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) described the death of Mr Francis Johnson as shocking and untimely.
TUC Secretary-General,Mr Musa-Lawal Ozigi, said the deceased, who was the third deputy president of the Congress was a labour leader of note. “Johnson was a labour leader of note, a Christian and a father. He was an embodiment of grace who will be missed by the Congress,” Ozigi said.
NUPENG in a statement signed by its president and general-secretary, Prince William Akporeha and MrAfolabiOlawale, said the union was deeply saddened with the untimely death of Johnson.
They said the death of the PENGASSAN president, who was also the chairman of NUPENGASSAN has flamed an indelible sore in the minds of workers.
”NUPENG regrets the huge vacuum created by the passing to eternal rest of the quintessential unionist in the labour movement.
”NUPENGASSAN, which he meritoriously chaired, kept united, strong and virile has painfully lost a rare gem in its folk,” they said.
The union noted that he would be remembered for his commitments to see his members and staff successful, move above challenges, stay productive and fulfilled in tandem with the union’s policy.
It would be recalled that Johnson, who hailed from Eti-osa area of Lagos State, died in the early hours of Friday at the National Hospital Abuja, after a brief illness and his death was announced by PENGASSAN in the wee hours of Friday.
