Comrade Francis Johnson the President of Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN is dead. He was said to have died after a brief illness on Friday morning, 31st May 2019 .
According to the reports, Comrade Francis was said to have been rushed to a private hospital where he was later taken to the National Hospital, Abuja where it was alleged there was no bed space to admit him. He gave up the ghost before he could be taken to another private hospital.
The Deputy President and General Secretary of PENGASSAN Frank Esanubi and Lumumba Okugbawa both confirmed the report in a statement. The statement about the death of Comrade Francis Jonshon reads:
“On behalf of the National Executive Council (NEC), Central Working Committee (CWC), members and staff of Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), we announce the untimely and painful death of Comrade Francis Olabode Johnson, President PENGASSAN in the early hours of Friday 31st May 2019 at National Hospital Abuja, after a brief illness.
Late Comrade F.O. Johnson until his passing on was a staff of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and was on the final lap of his eventful and transformational six years tenure as President PENGASSAN, having been elected to that position in June 2014 and re-elected in 2017.
Comrade Johnson will be remembered by his comrades, co-workers, family and friends for being thoughtful, humorous, compassionate and transparent as he touched the lives of so many and was the very embodiment of strength, patience, and perseverance.
These attributes propelled him to develop a deep connection with nature, zest for life and the total transformation of PENGASSAN National Secretariat and initiating the e-library and Events Resources Centres in all of our Zonal offices. His joyous laughter and giving spirit will forever be ingrained in our memories. Burial rites will be communicated to the general public as soon as we receive information from the family.”
Until his sudden demise, he was rumoured to have been anointed to succeed the outgoing President of Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, Bobboi Kaigama, in the June delegates conference of TUC.