By BEYOND what the Federal Government and other states could offer, Governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Ododo, has approved N72,500 naira as minimum wage for workers in the state with immediate effect.
Chairman of the Minimum Wage Committee, Elijah Evinemi, who is also Kogi State Head of Service, on Monday, submitted the report to the governor at Government House Lokoja.
Receiving and signing the report, Ododo noted that after deliberation from the sides of the union and government, the committee was able to arrive at a position that will not affect workers and the state.
He commended the committee for a good job, adding that his administration is workers-friendly.
He pointed out that what he had done on Monday was not a favour for the workers, but rather their right because his administration must always look into the welfare of workers in the state.
Governor Ododo stressed that the new minimum wage would commence from this month of October.
He noted that whatever it takes his administration, he will continue to serve the people of the state because they gave him the mandate to serve.
He also approved the suspension of withholding tax from civil servants’ salaries for the period of one year.
“We are not doing anybody any good, but we are doing what we have signed to do in fulfilment of our promises,” he enthused.
Governor Ododo said having been a labour leader and a civil servant before going into partisan politics, he knew what the civil servants were passing through and that now that God has made him the governor, he would do all within the state resources to provide succour for the state work force.
”I cannot forget where I came from; I am a man from a humble background who became who I am by the grace of God and will, therefore, not use my position to oppress anyone but to better the lots of the people.
“You people generously elected me as your governor and the resources of the state belong to you all.
“I am just your chief servant and I will ensure that the resources are allocated to all sectors fairly and equitably.
“All you have seen today is the painstaking efforts of the labour leaders and government who conducted staff audit screenings in the previous administration all in a bid to ensure that the right people take what belongs to them as workers and not ghost workers.
“My government will continue to prioritise the welfare of workers and the people of the state. Re-dedicate yourself towards the development of our dear state.
“I am not bigger than any of you here, you only made the governor to serve you,” he declared.
He urged all the labour leaders to continue to lead with sincerity to enable the state and the union to work in harmony.
Governor Ododo commended President Bola Tinubu for approving minimum wage for federal workers, adding that they, in the state, will continue to follow the footsteps of the President.
He noted that whatever problem the country is facing today started long ago but President Tinubu is on board to correct the past mistakes made by previous leaders.
He assured the President that Kogi State is All Progressives Congress (APC) and by the grace of God his administration and the people of the state will continue to support the President.
The governor also advised politicians in diaspora to come home and work with his government for the people and not only when election is around the corner to dissuade or curry favour of the electorate with money.
Earlier, the Chairman of the committee, thanked the governor for setting up the minimum wage committee.
He said the committee was able to reach agreement with the state government and they were able to arrive in agreeable position which he said workers in the state will definitely be happy with the new minimum wage.
“We started with dialogue immediately the committee was set up by the governor 17th September, and today we are here to submit the report which we believe the governor will graciously look into and approve,” he said.
Also speaking, the State Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Gabriel Amari, commended Ododo for carrying workers along in the state.
He noted that the state workers will continue to support the administration of the governor both at the state level and local government level.
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