Timothy Olawale, NECA DG Dies in Abuja

Mr Timothy Olawale, director-general, Nigerian Employers Consultative Association (NECA), the umbrella organization of employers in the organised private sector of Nigeria, has reportedly died in Abuja.

Timothy Olawale, late NECA DG

Mr Olawale was said to have died after he slumped during a meeting he attended in Abuja on Friday.

The news of his demise has left his wife devastated, an informant informed this newspaper, adding that the woman has left Lagos to Abuja already.

Mr Olawale, after acting as the DG of the organisation for six months, was appointed as the substantive leader of NECA in January 2019.

It was said that he gave up the ghost yesterday before help could get to him.

He was reportedly at a meeting on Friday and was unable to get up from his seat, which prompted those around to rush to offer him assistance but he was gone before he could get first aid.

Before his demise yesterday, he had attended a meeting with the board of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) on Thursday on some important issues. He was said to have been very active and showed no sign of weakness.

According to his profile on the NECA website, Mr Olawale, a graduate of Psychology from the University of Ibadan, had 29 years of experience in Industrial Relations and Strategic Human Resource Management and was a fellow of the Institute of Management Consultants. He was also very reputable in the industry

Before he became the DG of NECA, an organisation he joined in April 2011, he was the Director in charge of Membership Services, where he played a key role in the membership development of the Association.

While he was alive, Mr Olawale was very passionate about the welfare of Nigerian workers and entrepreneurs and was always ready to speak on issues affecting the workplace and how the environment can be made to benefit the different stakeholders.