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12 August, 2005ICEM News release No. 62/1998
"We want this country to have full democracy. And we're going to democratise the Nigerian labour movement. I can assure you that Nigeria's trade unions will soon be back on their feet and ready to defend the workers and the masses of Nigeria."
That was the message from Nigerian oilworkers' leader Frank Kokori this afternoon when ICEM UPDATE reached him by phone at his home in Lagos. Kokori, who is General Secretary of the Nigerian oil and gas workers' union NUPENG, has just been released from jail after almost four years of detention without trial.
"I can tell you, this house is full to bursting," Kokori said. "There's jubilation. Workers, human rights activists, church people, market women - they're all here and we're all very happy. The Nigerian people are now ready for full democracy. Never again will dictators take us for a ride."
Kokori's union is affiliated to the 20-million-strong International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers' Unions (ICEM), which led a worldwide trade union campaign for his release and for that of Milton Dabibi, General Secretary of ICEM-affiliated Nigerian oil and gas workers' union PENGASSAN. Kokori and Dabibi were among the first nine Nigerian detainees to be released this week. About a hundred political prisoners are still being held in Nigerian jails.
"I am very much aware of the action taken by the ICEM and your affiliated unions worldwide," Kokori said. "This is an outstanding example of trade union solidarity and of struggle by workers all over the world. I send my sincere thanks to you all. Without you, I wouldn't be here today."
He also thanked Amnesty International for their "wonderful job" in the campaign for his release.
Asked about his health, Kokori said, "I'm going to need medical check-ups. The situation was very bad during my incarceration and I'm very happy to be out of there."
But he was more interested in the future: "This country isn't out of the woods yet. There are still struggles ahead."
That was the message from Nigerian oilworkers' leader Frank Kokori this afternoon when ICEM UPDATE reached him by phone at his home in Lagos. Kokori, who is General Secretary of the Nigerian oil and gas workers' union NUPENG, has just been released from jail after almost four years of detention without trial.
"I can tell you, this house is full to bursting," Kokori said. "There's jubilation. Workers, human rights activists, church people, market women - they're all here and we're all very happy. The Nigerian people are now ready for full democracy. Never again will dictators take us for a ride."
Kokori's union is affiliated to the 20-million-strong International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers' Unions (ICEM), which led a worldwide trade union campaign for his release and for that of Milton Dabibi, General Secretary of ICEM-affiliated Nigerian oil and gas workers' union PENGASSAN. Kokori and Dabibi were among the first nine Nigerian detainees to be released this week. About a hundred political prisoners are still being held in Nigerian jails.
"I am very much aware of the action taken by the ICEM and your affiliated unions worldwide," Kokori said. "This is an outstanding example of trade union solidarity and of struggle by workers all over the world. I send my sincere thanks to you all. Without you, I wouldn't be here today."
He also thanked Amnesty International for their "wonderful job" in the campaign for his release.
Asked about his health, Kokori said, "I'm going to need medical check-ups. The situation was very bad during my incarceration and I'm very happy to be out of there."
But he was more interested in the future: "This country isn't out of the woods yet. There are still struggles ahead."