Details of how the Director-General of the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association, NECA, Dr Timothy Olawale, died have emerged.
Olawale died Friday after a brief illness. In announcing his death, yesterday, NECA’s Secretariat, in a statement, said: “It is with deepest sadness that we announce the passing of Dr. Timothy Olawale -our Director General, which occurred on 1st October 2021 at a Hospital in Abuja.
“He is survived by a wife, children and other relatives. We pray the good Lord to grant his family and us all, the fortitude to bear this irreplaceable loss.
“The Association is in contact with the family and more information will be communicated in due course.”
Meantime, Sunday Vanguard sources informed that the workaholic Olawale had a marathon engagements between Tuesday and Thursday.
He attended the Board meeting of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund, NSITF, on Tuesday.
According to an NSITF Board member who spoke on condition of anonymity, the meeting that started in the morning, did not end until after 6pm.
According to him, “Olawale, who was usually very vibrant, was not himself through the meeting. During the course of the meeting his body was changing and he was looking pale. He struggled to contribute throughout the meeting.
“After the meeting, I went to him and asked what was the problem. He told me that he fell down in the hotel and was not feeling well. He said he was having pains in parts of his body. I told him to go to the hospital and take care of himself. I even suggested to him to buy Aboniki rub to massage his body. I did not know that was the last time I was going to see him. We were close and he was very vibrant. I will surely miss his jovial nature during board meetings and informal settings. May his soul rest in peace.”
Though Vanguard could not confirm if he went to hospital on Wednesday, it was gathered however, that he was at the office of the Petroleum Products Pricing and Regulatory Agency, PPPRA, to submit his passport for the agency to secure an Egyptian visa.
According to source, he and some other Board members were billed to travel to Egypt October 9 for a PPPRA sponsored training.
On Thursday, Vanguard gathered that he attended a meeting of the Board of the Industrial Training Fund, ITF, which he was a co-Chairman and several other other meetings including advocacy meetings.
According to sources, he planned to return to Lagos on Friday morning, but took ill late Thursday and was taken to a private hospital where he died on Friday.
Olawale was the Executive Secretary Hotel and Personal Services Employers’ Association, before joining NECA, was confirmed substantive Director-General of the employers’ body in January 2019, after acting for six months.
He succeeded Mr. Segun Oshinowo, who retired in 2018 after serving NECA for 19 years as Director General.
Ngige, NLC mourn
Meanwhile, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris’s Ngige, and the leadership of and Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, have expressed shocked over his death.
According a statement by Deputy Director Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Charles Akpan, Ngige, in a condolence message to the association, said, “ We heard with shock the unexpected news of the death of the Director General of NECA, Dr. Timothy Olaware. We are sorry for your loss and convey our heartfelt sympathy to your Organisation, NECA, and its entire affiliate Employers’ associations.”
On its part, NLC, in a statement by its President, Ayuba Wabba, said: “It was with great shock that the Nigeria Labour Congress received the news of the sudden demise of the Director-General of the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), Dr. Timothy Olawale, yesterday, 1st October 2021 in Abuja”. (Vanguard)
