Rita Enemuru, Reporting
DELTA — The Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) has been plunged into mourning following the tragic deaths of two of its chairmen in a fatal auto crash that has sent shockwaves across the Ika Nation and the labour movement in Delta State.
Comrade Emmanuel Nwanma, Chairman of NULGE in Ika South Local Government Area, and Comrade Nnamdi Memeh, his counterpart in Ika North-East, lost their lives in the accident which occurred on Monday, July 20, 2026.
As of the time of filing this report, details surrounding the circumstances of the crash remained sketchy, with authorities yet to release an official statement on the incident.
‘Monumental Loss’
Reacting to the tragedy, the Chairman of Ika North-East Local Government Area, Hon. Hunkamma Monday Odigwe, described the death of Comrade Nnamdi Memeh as a monumental loss to the council and the entire local government workforce.
In a condolence message, Odigwe recalled that when he assumed office two years ago, he met a union leader whose guiding philosophy was “The Workers First.”
“I am deeply pained by his passing because we had built a strong working relationship that would have been of immense benefit to all,” he said, while praying for the peaceful repose of the souls of the departed union leaders.
‘Unwavering Commitment’
Similarly, the Chairman of Ika South Local Government Area, Engr. Jerry Ehiwarior, expressed profound grief over the death of Comrade Emmanuel Nwanma.
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Jonathan Onwuka, Ehiwarior described the late NULGE chairman as a dedicated labour leader whose unwavering commitment to workers’ welfare and industrial harmony earned him widespread respect and admiration.
The twin tragedy has left colleagues, associates and members of the labour community devastated, with tributes continuing to pour in for the two union leaders whose deaths are widely regarded as a significant loss to local government administration and the labour movement in Delta State.
