Workers

By Aderonke Ojediran/Esenvosa Izah

Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has commended workers’ resilience, reiterating his administration’s support for them.

Sanwo-Olu gave the re-assurance at the 2025 Workers Day celebration with the theme: ‘Reclaiming the Civic Space in Midst of Economic Hardship’.

The event held on Thursday at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan Stadium.

He adopted speeches presented by labour unions and re-affirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening the state’s workforce and delivering a more robust public service.

“I have listened to the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC); I understand your demands, I have adopted your speeches and we will continue to work as partners in progress.

“Workers take home will be enough to take them home, our goal is to ensure that. We will continue to work on infrastructure that will make the lives of workers better.

“I thank you all for defying the rain and coming out to celebrate yourselves. You all deserve to be celebrated.

“Thank you for being an integral part of our government, I salute you all,” the governor said.

He said that the 2026 May Day celebration would take place at Teslim Balogun Stadium in Surulere to accommodate the large number of workers in the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that as usual, workers’ turnout for the event was massive.

In spite of rainfall, labour unions participated in a colourful march past as they wore customised T-shirts, caps and ‘ankara’ fabrics of various colours.

The state Commissioner for Establishments and Training, Mr Afolabi Ayantayo, and the state Head of Service, Mr Bode Agoro, lauded Lagos State workers for their dedication.

They highlighted various initiatives by the state government to improve staff welfare and provide conducive work environment. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Florence Onuegbu/Ijeoma Popoola

By Nefishetu Yakubu

Gov. Monday Okpebholo of Edo has raised the minimum wage for Edo workers from N70,000 to N75,000 to further improve their standard of living.

The governor announced this during his May Day speech at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin.

The governor, while appreciating Edo workers’ contributions to the state’s development, said his administration would always look for ways to improve the welfare of Edo workers.

“Today, I am proud to announce that our administration has approved a new minimum wage of N75,000 per month for all Edo workers.

“It’s our way of saying thank you, Edo workers. We believe this makes a real difference, and we count on your dedication to a better Edo.

“Since taking office, my administration has prioritised workers’ welfare.

“One early action was converting over 1,000 casual workers, including cleaners, into permanent civil service employees,” he said.

Okpebholo disclosed that his administration had also hired 500 teachers, adding that he was reviewing over 3,000 casual teachers for full employment.

“We also approved recruitment of 450 clinical and non-clinical hospital staff and regularised 126 contract workers at Edo State Specialist Hospital for stability and growth,” he added.

The governor also disclosed that his administration had cleared outstanding salary arrears owed to Edo Polytechnic staff.

“In the judiciary, judges whose appointments were delayed have been properly sworn in and are now actively performing their constitutional duties without further administrative hindrances.

“To prove our commitment, we approved health insurance for retirees because we believe support must continue after workers leave active service,” the governor said.

Okpebholo reiterated his administration’s dedication to prompt salary and pension payments, structured recruitment, workers’ welfare and professional development.

“As we celebrate today, I join President Tinubu and fellow governors in wishing Nigerian workers a peaceful, fulfilling celebration. Your efforts build our nation daily.”

Acting NLC Chairman, Edo Chapter, Comrade Bernard Egwekhide, praised Governor Okpebholo for laudable policies that ease the hardship experienced by workers and pensioners across the state.

He said the theme, “Reclaiming the Civil Space Amid Economic Hardship,” was appropriate and highlighted the critical issues faced by Nigerian workers in today’s tough economy.

Egwekhide appreciated the governor’s seriousness towards workers’ welfare, noting that recent interventions had significantly improved the lives and civil rights of Edo workers.

“Within six months in office, you have performed excellently for Edo workers. Your achievements surpass our expectations and show real commitment to the needs of workers.

“We also thank President Bola Tinubu for supporting Edo State. The first flyover is under construction, and a second has already been approved for development.

“Additionally, federal roads across the state are now receiving the urgent attention they have long needed, thanks to the partnership with the Federal Government,” Egwekhide said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Joe Idika

By Stephen Adeleye

The organised labour union in Kogi has urged Gov. Ahmed Ododo to address the perennial water scarcity in Lokoja by urgently restoring the Lokoja Greater Water Works to meet the ever-increasing demand.

The state Council Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Gabriel Amari, and that of Trade Union Congress (TUC), Ahmed Tijani, made the appeal during the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration on Thursday in Lokoja.

Amari, who spoke on behalf of workers said, “We wish to commend your effort in reviving the Old Lokoja Water Works within a record time.

“However, the scale of treatment and reticulation from the Old Lokoja Water Works cannot meet even one-tenth of the entire water demand in Lokoja metropolis.

“Sir, water scarcity adversely affects the productivity of workers. The daily search for water has pushed residents to rely on untreated sources, thereby exposing them to waterborne diseases and other health-related risks.

“Moreover, in their quest for water, the indiscriminate drilling of boreholes has depleted the basement aquifer to an alarming level, which poses a serious threat to future generations.

“To solve the perennial water scarcity in Lokoja, there is an urgent need to repair and restore the Lokoja Greater Water Works to meet the ever-increasing demand.

“Your Excellency, you are known as a jinx-breaker, and we believe you can finally break the infamous jinx of “water, water everywhere in Lokoja, but not a drop to drink.”

The workers also appealed to the governor to make efforts towards offsetting the accumulated gratuity to ameliorate the plight of the affected retirees in the state.

“We are not unmindful of the state government’s efforts in addressing critical areas that affect the retirees.

“We are also concerned about their fate in view of their plight having dedicated the greater part of their youthful years towards the development of the state, with nothing to fall back to after retirement, safe for hope.

The unions also drew the governor’s attention to the need for the implementation of outstanding promotion, in some cases up to six years with cash backing including incremental rates.

“This will usher in a more result-oriented civil service to effectively implement government planned policies and programmes,” he said.

The unions, however, praised the Ododo administration’s giant strides since assumption of office in all facets of the economy, ranging from infrastructural development, human capital development, agriculture and health sub-sector, amongst others.

The unions also commended the governor for prompt implementation of the new national minimum wage, timely and regular payment of salaries, pensions harmonisation, workers’ training and re-training, as well as appointment of labour leaders in his administration.

In his remarks, Ododo commended the organised labour for their unwavering commitment to the development of the state and the nation at large, saying they are the engine room of economic development.

The governor assured the union of his administration’s commitment to prioritise workers welfare.

This, he said, was a testament to the immediate implementation of the national minimum wage, prompt payment of salaries, as well as the one year tax free policy on the minimum wage.

Ododo noted that his administration, on assumption of office, had been releasing N100 million monthly for gratuity, saying N1.2 billion had been released in one year for payment of backlog of gratuity to give the much-needed relief to the retirees.

He promised to promptly review all the requests of the labour unions for consideration and implementation for the benefit of the people of Kogi. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Maureen Ojinaka/ Isaac Ukpoju