The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria has introduced a new leadership succession model aimed at eliminating disputes and ensuring smooth transitions within the union.
Speaking during a memorial event in honour of the late former PENGASSAN President, Comrade Francis Olabode Johnson, the union’s National President, Engr. Festus Osifo, said the amendment allows the Deputy President to automatically succeed the President at the end of a tenure.
According to him, the reform was introduced to address recurring tensions and disagreements that have historically accompanied leadership transitions in the union.
Osifo explained that the model was inspired by a similar arrangement used by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, where succession is determined ahead of time through the election of a deputy.
He said the amendment was unanimously approved during the union’s conference last year and is expected to take effect as the current leadership prepares to hand over in August.
The PENGASSAN president noted that the new arrangement has already contributed to stability within the union, adding that all organs of the organisation remain united ahead of the forthcoming transition.
He described transparency, unity and comradeship as some of the key legacies of the current administration.
Osifo also paid tribute to the late Francis Olabode Johnson, describing him as a dedicated and selfless labour leader whose contributions to the union remain worthy of emulation.
