Labour leader, Didi Adodo, is dead

Tuesday, January 12, 2021 2:09 pm

Adodo: dead

By Jethro Ibileke/Benin

A former Commissioner for Establishment and Special Duties in Edo state, Comrade Didi Adodo is dead. Adodo reportedly died in the early hours of Tuesday, from a brief, but yet-to-be-disclosed ailment.

It was gathered that he took ill five days ago, but could not make it.

The death of the frontline labour leader is a big blow to the labour sector.

Adodo was first appointed Commissioner for Lands and Housing before moving to Environment and back to Lands and Housing. He was appointed Commissioner for Establishment and Special Duties in the second term of the administration of Gov Oshiomhole.

Oshiomhole, had while swearing-in the deceased as Commissioner in Edo state, described him as a very warm, complete gentleman.

“He is a very warm, complete gentleman, rich in humour, absolutely loyal and dedicated and totally committed to our shared vision to reposition this great state and take it to the next level. Didi is one fellow that I can write his testimonial in the sense that we both come from the Trade Union Movement and having him back is like having your partner back.

“I also believe by assigning him to Establishments, the avoidable gap in communication between government and trade unions and the central labour organisations in the state and outside the state will now be a thing of the past and there will be more effective liaison and a coordinated attempt to issues as they arise,” Oshiomhole had said.

Until his demise, Comrade Adodo was the General Secretary of Iron and Steel Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ISSSAN). He was also a former General Secretary of the United Labour Congress (ULC).

According to his Facebook page, Adodo who hailed from Iruekpen, Esan west local government area of the state, attended Holy Trinity Grammar School, Sabongidda-Ora and graduated in 1979.

He later attended University of Benin (UNIBEN) where he graduated in 1986.

He was married with children.

Family members of the deceased could not be reached for comments as their mobile phones were switched off.