The leadership of Labour Unions in Ekiti state has endorsed Governor Biodun Oyebanji for a second term in office, citing his exceptional commitment to workers’ welfare and all round development of the state for their decision.
Speaking at a Labour Round Table Meeting with the Governor at Lady Jibowu Hall of the Government House in Ado Ekiti on Wednesday evening, the labour leaders also vowed to continue to support the governor in the realization of all his lofty policies and programmes aimed at achieving his shared prosperity agenda, with a promise not to allow miscreant disrupt the pace of progress recorded under his leadership.
In separate remarks, the Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Kolapo Olatunde; his Trade Union Congress (TUC) counterpart, Comrade Sola Adigun; and the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) leader, Comrade Oluseye Babatunde, lauded the governor for consistently prioritising workers’ needs.
They highlighted several achievements including the prompt payment of salaries, clearing of over nine months’ salary arrears and leave bonuses, timely disbursement of pensions and gratuities, settlement of promotion-related financial entitlements, and the approval of regular promotions.
They also praised the increment of car and housing loans and the adoption of one of the best minimum wage structures in the country.
According to the labour leaders, the recent implementation of a ₦70,000 minimum wage reflects the governor’s awareness of the economic challenges facing workers and his resolve to ease their burdens.
They noted that, for the first time since the state’s creation, workers have received their entitlements without resorting to strikes or protests, crediting the governor’s worker-friendly policies with not only improving labour conditions but also positioning Ekiti as a model of sustainable development.
While describing the Governor as God sent and answer to Ekiti workers prayers, the Union Leaders said, “When people say this has not been done, that has not been done, I smile and say you don’t know the kind of leadership we have in Ekiti State, all the workers agenda is on the Governor’s table and he go through it every day.
“Your Excellency thank you for the minimum wage you approved, I and my colleagues will recall when negotiating for N13,000 minimum wage, it was returned to us for negotiation more than three times and after a year it was given approval but lo and behold when we were dealing with this N70,000 minimum wage and I saw what was there, I told the panel that my people will rejoice when this would be signed and it didn’t take long for you to approve. Thank you, Mr Governor for making us proud”.
Also in her remarks, the Head of Service, Dr (Mrs) Folakemi Olomojobi lauded the Governor for his exceptional dedication to workers’ welfare, disclosing that in the last 12 months, the governor approved over 30 million naira to address health challenges faced by public servants, the gesture, which according to her, demonstrated his genuine concern for the well-being of the workforce.
Also speaking, the Special Assistant on Labour Matters, Comrade Kayode Fatomiluyi appreciated the Governor for not disappointing the workforce by fulfilling all the promises he made to them during electioneering campaign
Responding, Governor Oyebanji, who expressed his gratitude to the Union leaders for what he described as an uncommon gesture for labour leaders to speak of a government in such manner, said appreciation should go to President Bola Ahmed Tunubu whose visionary reforms have freed resources that significantly empowered the state to address pressing needs and deliver impactful projects that improve the lives of the people.
“Let me start on the note appreciation to you, I became afraid that look, this is an uncommon phenomenon, if not for God’s grace, for labour leaders to come out publicly and speak of a government in this manner and I was asking for God’s help so that I don’t disappoint you.
“But in fairness, apart from God, the person we need to thank is the President, because no matter how good intentioned a leader is, if you don’t have the resources, it’s only going to be a wish, but the president has taken a lot of courageous steps that has freed resources to the state, and I told myself that if this kind of money is coming to Ekiti state, we must spend it in a way and manner that those in government will be happy and those outside government will also be happy”, he added.
