Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji has commended the resilience, sacrifice, commitment and patriotic zeal of Ekiti State workforce to the growth, development and socio-economic progress of the state, described them as backbone of state rapid progress.
Governor Oyebanji, who gave the commendation on Thursday while addressing workers at the 2025 edition of May Day celebration held at the Ekiti Parapo Pavilion, Ado Ekiti, said the dedication of workers in the state has been instrumental in driving the state’s economic growth and sustaining its progress.
The Governor described workers as the backbone of the state’s progress and prosperity, and hailed Ekiti workers for the pivotal role they play in ensuring smooth running of the state’s economy and governance.
He added that his administration has fulfilled his critical obligations to the workforce by ensuring a safe and healthy work environment, fair wages and benefits and respect for workers’ rights, thereby restoring the dignity and pride of workers.
Governor Oyebanji explained that his government has been able to strengthen the workforce and reduce unemployment through various programmes instituted to reposition the public service.
Highlighting some of the notable achievements made by his dministration that have positively impacted workers’ welfare, the Governor hinted that his government has recruited over 1,500 primary school teachers, 930 subject teachers in public secondary schools, 48 education officers, infrastructure upgrade, capacity development programs, approval and payment of minimum wage, disbursement of over 400 million naira house and vehicle loan to over 1,447 teaching and non-teaching staff, approval of career progression for primary school teachers to grade level 16, among others.
While reaffirming his commitment to transparent engagement with labour unions and policies that promote the workers welfare, the Governor urged labour leaders to note that this is a period for dialogue, synergy, mutual understanding in proffering solutions to perennial economic crisis and accountability in governance. He urged them to come forth with ideas, constructive opinions and strategies to transform the economy for the greater benefit of citizens.
“Today’s event is an opportunity to pay tribute to the working class and to appreciate their invaluable contributions and unflinching commitment to the overall development of Ekiti State and humanity in general. Let me therefore salute the industrious contributions of Ekiti workers, both in public and private sectors who have kept Ekiti moving and created the ever expanding Ekiti Economy for their hard work.
“I urge you to note that this is a period for dialogue, synergy, mutual understanding in proffering solutions to perennial economic crisis and accountability in governance. I urge workers as major stakeholders to come forth with ideas, constructive opinions and strategies to transform the economy for the greater benefit of the citizens. Let me assure you that on our part, all hands would continue to be on deck to explore better avenues that would make lives convenient for our people”. The Governor asserted.
In her welcome address, the Head of Service, Dr Folakemi Olomojobi asserted that capturing the civic space by workers has become more critical than ever stressing the need for it to be retained through joint efforts of the government and workers through the various labor unions.
The Head of Service commended Governor Oyebanji’s cordial relationship with labour leaders. She also said the increased minimum wage for workers in the state is a reflection of the commitment to the Governor to the welfare of Ekiti people. The minimum wage, she said, had assisted every worker to inch forward in earning a living wage which would help provide basic necessities of life for themselves and their families.
Also speaking at the event, NLC Chairman, Comrade Kolapo Olatunde and TUC Chairman and national president of ASUSS, Comrade Sola Adigun expressed the appreciation of Ekiti workers to Governor Biodun Oyebanji for his proactiveness to the welfare of workers in the state acknowledging his good nature and disposition to human resource development as well as all round infrastructural breakthrough in the state.
The labour leaders highlighted the achievements of the Governor in the labour sector to include approval and prompt payment of minimum wage to all workers, defrayment of all salary arrears, approval for the payment of primary school workers’ car and housing loan as well as provision of palliative buses to convey workers to their workplaces and students to schools free of charge to ease the burden of high transportation costs.
They called on government stall levels to respect and uphold the rights of Nigerian workers adding that no democratic nation could thrive when its workers are pauperized, its unions intimidated and citizens silenced.
Also at the event were the Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, Speaker, Ekiti State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adeoye Aribasoye, Deputy Speaker, Rt Hon Bolaji Olagbaju, Members of the state executive council and leaders of labour unions.