As the world observes Workers Day, Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, has called on workers to stay committed and make sacrifices that will advance the nation amidst current economic difficulties.
In a statement released by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Dr. Monday Uzor, Governor Nwifuru issued a heartfelt plea for workers to remain dedicated as they celebrate Workers’ Day 2024.
Governor Nwifuru praised the workers of Ebonyi for their hard work, dedication, and steadfast commitment to progress in the state. He acknowledged that his administration has implemented several measures to enhance worker welfare and encouraged them to continue their efforts in response.
“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
In his address to workers, Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki praised their significant contributions to the growth of the state’s Gross Domestic Product over the past seven and a half years of his tenure. He noted that their commitment and dedication to transforming the state deserve commendation.
Governor Obaseki made these remarks during the celebration of Workers’ Day, an event held annually on May 1 to honor the working class and promoted by the International Labour Movement.
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.