The Zonal Industrial Relations Officer of   the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) Port Harcourt Zone (covering the 10 states of Abia, Akwa-Ibom, Anambra, Bayelsa, Benue, Ebonyi, Enugu, Cross River, Imo and Rivers States) Comrade Hyginus Chika Onuegbu FCA, has been elected The State Chairman, Rivers State Council of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC). The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria was registered by the Registrar of Trade Unions on September 9, 2005, as the second labour centre to be so registered in Nigeria. The first was the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC). The Trade Union Congress is the umbrella body for all  the Senior Staff Associations in Nigeria.

Comrade Onuegbu, a member of The International Industrial Relations Association (IIRA), Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Associate of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) and member of the Institute of Management Consultants Nigeria (IMC), brings with him some 20 years experience in trade unionism, activism and industrial relations beginning from his days in the University of Port Harcourt where he served as the Financial Secretary National Union of Rivers State Students(NURSS) UNIPORT  and member Students’ Union Parliament of the University in 1991/1992 and 19992/1993 respectively. As an industrial relations expert Onuegbu is expected to leverage on his knowledge and experience in industrial relations and labour practice to move the TUC and her affiliates in Rivers State forward. Comrade Onuegbu hails from  Emohua in Emohua Local Government of Rivers State and incidentally his kinsman from  Emohua, Comrade Chris Oruge, is the State Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress in Rivers State.

 Both men as the leaders of labour in Rivers State will no doubt work closely and harmoniously to move the labour movement forward in Rivers State. In addition, as the incumbent Zonal Industrial Relations Officer of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) Port Harcourt Zone Comrade Onuegbu, comes with the full backing of one of the most influential trade unions in Nigeria. Indeed the incumbent President-General of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) Comrade Peter Esele is the immediate past President of PENGASSAN.  Obviously Comrade Onuegbu has everything he needs to deliver on his promises to the Rivers State Council of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC).The promises include:

1. Improved visibility of TUC in Rivers State

2. Greater solidarity and Cooperation among the affiliates and members of TUC in Rivers State.

3. Better relationship between the TUC in Rivers State and TUC in neighbouring states and TUC National.

4. Greater opportunity for our members and affiliates to contribute to the progress, solidarity and wellbeing of TUC in Rivers state .We will run an all-inclusive administration where every affiliate and member will be adequately carried along and given greater opportunity to participate and contribute to the development of TUC in Rivers State

5. Improved administration of TUC in Rivers State by developing and maintaining effective and efficient procedures which are in line with our constitution and best practice in trade union administration

6. Better relationship and cooperation between the TUC and NLC in Rivers state

7. Enhanced relationship between TUC in Rivers state, the Government and People of Rivers State , Civil Society Groups and other stakeholders.

He was elected at the  Triennial Delegates Conference of the TUC State council, which was held at the Manor Hotel, GRA , Port Harcourt on 14th December 2009 .

While presenting his acceptance speech, he noted the cordial relationship existing between  TUC and the Government of Rivers State. He said ''I am very much aware of the cordial relationship between the Government of Rivers State led by His Excellency Rt.Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria(TUC). You are all witnesses to the buses generously donated by the Rivers State Government to the Rivers State Council of TUC and NLC. We once again use this opportunity to thank the Governor for the kind gesture and pledge the support of the Trade Union Congress for his administration. We are very delighted at the speed at which the Government is developing Rivers State. Development is about improving the welfare of the people and this is in tandem with the aims of the trade union movement. We therefore call on all residents and indigenes of Rivers State to support the administration of Rt.Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi as they transform Rivers State to a truly modern state''

Comrade Onuegbu was unanimously elected unopposed. The newly elected members of the Rivers State Executive Council of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria(TUC) that will pilot the affairs of the umbrella body of Senior Staff Associations in Rivers State  are;

The position of Publicity Secretary was deferred to a later date.

The National President of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) was unavoidably absent but was ably represented by the National Auditor of TUC who is also the National President of Nigerian Merchant Navy Officers and Water Transport Senior Staff Association(NMNOWTSSA) Comrade Captain Thomas Kemewerigha.