As the world celebrates Workers Day, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and state governors have appealed to workers to remain steadfast, and make sacrifices that will move the nation forward in the face of the present economic challenges.
Senate, Government To Collaborate For Better Welfare, Says Akpabio
Akpabio has assured Nigerian workers that the National Assembly and the Executive arm of government, would work collaboratively to give them a living wage and better working conditions.
The Senate president gave the assurance in a statement through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Hon. Eseme Eyiboh, to congratulate the workers as they commemorate the 2024 May Day.
Akpabio, in the message, extolled the sterling qualities that stood out the Nigerian worker saying, “A Nigerian worker is noted for his patriotism, hard work, resilience, and dedication to duty.
He said, “I am happy to be associated with the Nigerian worker in the last more than 25 years and I can attest to the fact that everywhere you go, the Nigerian worker’s spirit resonates profoundly”
Speaking on this year’s theme for Workers Day, “Ensuring safety and health at work in a changing climate,” Akpabio promised that the National Assembly under his leadership was more than committed to ensuring the best working conditions for the Nigerian workers adding that, “No Nigerian worker will again be allowed to work under inhuman conditions. We will do everything to give you the best because you deserve the best”
The Senate president reiterated that the theme for this year’s celebration was apt, and in tune with the international best practices, assuring that Nigeria will never be left behind.
According to him, the 10th National Assembly was fully committed to providing the required legislative enablement, aimed at protecting the interest of the Nigerian worker, creating a befitting workplace environment, and a pay that takes them home.
“On behalf of the Senate and the entire National Assembly and indeed, my family, I wish to join the world in wishing the Nigerian worker a happy International Labour Day. We are celebrating patriotism, hard work, commitment and dedication. And I want to assure you that your sacrifices can never go in vain. The tough times will never last forever and in fact, they will soon be over”.
Remain Steadfast- Governor Nwifuru
In a communique by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Dr Monday Uzor, made available to newsmen, Governor Nwifuru made a passionate appeal to the workers to remain steadfast in the face of the present economic challenges, as they mark the 2024 Workers’ Day.
According to Nwifuru, Ebonyi workers have remained exceptional because of their hard work, dedication, and unwavering commitment to making the state a progressive one.
He noted that his administration has taken a number of steps to improve the welfare of workers and urged them to reciprocate.
“As a government, the implementation of the People’s Charter of Needs across tiers is predicated chiefly on our ideological understanding of reality in the governance context. We will remain focused on improving the economy of Ebonyi because of our realisation that civil service is the fulcrum upon which government runs.
“We remember the struggles of the past and the struggles of the present, and we are intentional in caring for our workers, a future where all workers are treated with the respect and dignity they deserve. Ebonyi Workers have remained partners in progress, therefore, my administration will continue to reciprocate by sustaining and deepening the existing friendly working environment and industrial harmony in the state aimed at increasing the productivity of the workforce in particular and improving good governance,” he said.
Governor Nwifuru reassured the commitment of his administration, to prompt payment of salaries and other entitlements of workers.
He also commended the leadership of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), and Trade Union Congress (TUC) for their sincerity and support to his administration.
“Before the march, rallies, advocacies, and cries for a world where workers are valued, respected, and treated with the dignity they deserve, Ebonyi has already heard and solved that problem. So we are ahead,” he said.
Obaseki Hails Edo Workers, Salutes Contributions To Growth Of Economy
The Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, in his address to workers, hailed their outstanding contribution to the growth of the state’s Gross Domestic Products in the past seven and half years of his administration, noting that their commitment, and dedication in transforming the state deserves praise.
The governor said this in commemoration of Workers’ Days, a celebration of the working class promoted by the International Labour Movement, marked every May 1.
In a statement, the governor said, “This is my last year in office and I dare say that I have had the best of time working with workers in Edo State. The experience has been exhilarating. I am happy that working with you all, we grew the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by over 140 per cent. For me, that is rewarding.”
He noted, “It has indeed been an enriching journey working and I am glad that we are signing off on an exciting note as only two days ago, I announced that we have raised the Edo State minimum wage from N40,000 to N70,000, an increase of over 75% per cent, which reflects how much we have come to value the work you do and which also speaks to our unwavering commitment to rewarding hard work as a government.”
Obaseki said his administration has improved the working conditions for the state’s workforce, noting, “From infrastructure upgrade to prioritizing technology and improving incentives for work, we have successfully built the first state government in Nigeria to go fully digital. The rate that which technology is redefining work processes in Edo today is unprecedented and our workers can testify to the fact that the e-gov platform we have implemented has radically changed governance.
“We have migrated our workers to the Contributory Pension Scheme at the State and Local Government levels such that they have a stable post-work life even as we have transformed the work environment to promote merit, technology-compliance, a healthy work-life balance and emerged as the best public service to work on the African continent.”
“We have just commissioned the Labour House, which would serve as the Secretariat of the Labour Movement in Nigeria and also as a symbol of the illustrious heritage of our people who have done great work in sustaining the Labour movement in Nigeria,” he added.
Governor Radda Pledges To Do More For Katsina Workers
Governor Dikko Radda of Katsina State has assured readiness of his administration, to continue to do more for the development of Civil Service and development of workers by extension in the state.
According to the Governor, despite the current economic situation in the country, the State Government has sustained the tempo of prompt payment of salary when due.
He further, restated his commitment to addressing the security challenges in the state.
The governor who was speaking on Wednesday as a special guest of honour during the 2024 May Day Celebration, held at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium with a theme: “People First” revealed that the government will soon introduce new policies and programs aimed at improving the welfare of workers in the state.
“We are encouraged to introduce so many programs to enhance the public service and welfare of workers in the state”, he added.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman of the Katsina State Chapter of the NLC, Comrade Husaini Hamisu Yanduna, decried that, workers in the country, are facing serious hardship following the removal of fuel subsidies thereby making life unbearable and more challenging for them.
He, therefore, urged the state task force to monitor filling stations that are either closing or hoarding petroleum and selling the product above the official pump price.
Comrade Yanduna while urging the state Governor to squarely address the challenges workers face in the state and address the manpower gap by employing capable youth into the state civil service, commended the governor for being labour-friendly.
“We noticed tremendous improvement virtually in all sectors of the economy and security under your one-year leadership. Banditry, kidnapping and cattle rustling have been reduced to a minimum level. Therefore, we urge other state governors to emulate you to have permanent peace”, he noted.
Fubara Reaffirms Commitment To Salary Increase For Workers
Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara has stated his commitment to implement the salary increase approved by the Federal Government for workers in the country.
Speaking at the commemoration of the 2024 Worker’s Day held at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium in Port Harcourt, Governor Fubara assured the workforce in the state of his unwavering commitment to their welfare.
He emphasised that no political distraction in the state would deter him from prioritising the well-being of workers, even as he announced the donation of one hundred million naira for the celebration of the Worker’s Day.
In recognition of his consistent support towards the workforce since assuming office, the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) bestowed on him the title of “Labour Champion Governor.”
They said the honour was in appreciation of Governor Fubara’s labour-friendly policies that have positively impacted workers in his 11 months in office.
Governor Kefas Assures Addressing All Bottlenecks Bedeviling State’s Civil Service
The Taraba State Governor, Agbu Kefas has assured civil servants in the state of addressing all bottlenecks bedevilling the civil service, and prioritising the welfare of workers.
According to the governor, his administration would implement policies geared towards training and capacity building to improve productivity, and efficiency by creating an enabling environment for career development.
Speaking during this year’s workers’ day, the governor insisted on embarking on comprehensive reforms to promote accountability, and attract investors in all sectors of the state’s economy.
He revealed that he has given a standing order for the implementation of promotion to all deserving officers, as well as come up with an affordable housing scheme to cater for civil servants after retirement.
Organised Labour In Niger State Presents Long List Of Demand
Organised Labour in Niger State commemorated May day with a long list of demands for improved welfare, that will reduce the hardship faced by workers in the state.
Top among the demand, was for the government to improve general security in the State and particularly insurgence troubling some parts of the state.
The State NLC chairman, Idris Lafene was speaking in Minna at a ceremony to mark this year’s May Day celebration.
The Governor of Niger State, Umaru Bago, represented by the State Head of Service, Abubakar Salisu, said the government is not unaware of the economic hardship faced at this time, but assured of commitment to providing midterm and long-term solutions to identified challenges.
Governor Lawal Promises Improved Welfare For Zamfara Workers
Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal says, his administration is developing a strategy to increase workers’ salaries, and pay them at least 25th of every month without delay and non-stop.
The governor gave the assurance while addressing the Zamfara workers during the commemoration of the 2024 International Workers’ Day celebration in Gusau, the Zamfara capital, where he told them that his administration would come up with surprises soon for workers.
He appealed to the workers, to shun corruption and join hands with the government to build a better society, stressing that corruption is the bane of the State’s development and progress.
Governor Dauda Lawal also emphasised the need for all hands to be on deck, to tackle the prevailing insecurity in Zamfara, reminding the workers that the fight against banditry to restore peace in the state, is everyone’s responsibility.
He told the workers that his administration has been consistent, in paying pension allowances to pensioners, and would continue to improve the welfare of pensioners in the state.
Governor Otu Announces N40,000 Minimum Wage
The Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu has announced a new minimum wage of N40,000 for the state workers, saying that the new wage implementation aligns with the realities of the time in the state rather than sentiments.
In his words, “owing to the peculiarity of Cross River State regarding its lean finances occasioned by low Statutory Federal Allocation and aggravated by the unfavorable State GDP to Debt servicing ratio, the new wage implementation is in line with the realities of the time rather than sentiments.”
At the U.J Esuene Stadium in Calabar, where he joined the Workers Day celebration, Governor Otu disclosed that under his administration, payment of salaries and workers and pension entitlement remains a first-line charge.
For the backlog of gratuity in the state, which dates back to 2014, the Governor appealed for patience, saying, “Government is presently on the verge of concluding necessary arrangements for the staggered payment of outstanding gratuity to its retired workers.”
He emphasised that the theme for this year’s Workers’ Day is “People First,” and interestingly coincides with my administration’s mantra.
“Accordingly, whatever action aimed at alleviating the suffering of the workers is readily embraced by me. One of such measures is the payment of a living wage to the workforce. May I, therefore, state categorically that the government of Cross River State, under my leadership, is willing and ready to put smiles on the faces of its workers and in line with the season of sweetness which characterizes my administration.”
He expressed goodwill and solidarity with the workers during the 2024 Workers’ Day. He emphasised the importance of a strong relationship between the government and its workforce to create wealth and improve livelihoods.
He assured that his government had prioritized the well-being of workers by ensuring timely payment of salaries and pensions, conducting promotions, and planning to employ qualified youths.
However, in addition to celebrating workers, the Governor calls for increased productivity among workers, highlighting the importance of reciprocating the government’s efforts.
He emphasised the need for workers to enhance their output to match the support provided by the government.
Labour leaders in the state, Comrade Gregory Olayi, the State Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress NLC and the Chairman of Trade Union Congress, Comrade Monday Ogbodum, both made demands calling for the prompt attention to promotions of civil servants, payment of gratuity to retirees, recruitment to the state service.
