The National President of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Titus Amba, has expressed deep sorrow over the death of the union’s National Deputy Secretary-General, Comrade Adamu Ango Zaria, describing his passing as a great loss to teachers and the labour movement in Nigeria.
Speaking shortly after the burial ceremony, Amba who is also the Deputy President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, (NLC) said the death of Ango was a painful moment for members of the union, noting that the late labour leader had dedicated his life to the service of teachers at the local, state and national levels.
According to him, Ango served the union with distinction for many years, including as Branch Chairman of the NUT in Kaduna South LGA before rising to become the state secretary. He also served as Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Kaduna State Council for eight years, where he championed the welfare of workers.
Amba recalled that their relationship dated back to 1999 when he served as branch secretary while Ango was branch chairman, describing the late unionist as a trusted colleague and close friend.
“We worked together as comrades, friends and brothers. There was hardly a day we woke up without speaking to each other,” he said.
The NUT President explained that when he later moved to the national leadership of the union, Ango remained supportive and continued to provide guidance. Upon becoming the national president, Amba said he invited Ango to join the national secretariat in Abuja after a vacancy emerged in the office of Deputy Secretary-General.
He noted that the late Ango accepted the responsibility and continued serving the union diligently until his death.
Amba added that Ango remained committed to his duties until the very end, recalling that barely three weeks before his death, the late union leader had returned from an international assignment in Zanzibar.
He said shortly after arriving in Abuja from the trip, Ango still visited the NUT national secretariat and attended a National Executive Council meeting, demonstrating his dedication to the union’s activities.
The NUT president prayed for the repose of the deceased’s soul and asked God to forgive his shortcomings and grant him eternal rest.
“We have lost a committed comrade. Our prayer is that God forgives his shortcomings and accepts him,” Amba said.
He also expressed appreciation to colleagues, friends and sympathisers who travelled from across the country to pay their last respects to the late union leader.
Amba further urged members of the public to remember the family of the deceased in their prayers, noting that the union and Ango’s colleagues would continue to stand by them in their moment of grief.