Olu Samuel, Lokoja

The Nigeria Civil Service Union (NCSU) has commended Gov. Ahmed Ododo of Kogi, for prioritising civil servants’ welfare and ensuring that citizens feel the impacts of democratic good governance.

The National President of NCSU, Comrade Sunday Adeleye Oluwole, gave the commendation on Thursday in Lokoja, at a plenary of the union’s 80th National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, tagged: “Tapping The Untapped Natural Resources For The Benefit of Nigerian Workers”.

Oluwole noted that the NCSU NEC meeting was brought to Kogi in order to acknowledge the efforts of the governor, aimed at ensuring that public servants in Kogi, appreciate and feel the impacts of democratic governance.

“It is equally very expedient to celebrate the governor for opening the floodgate of being the first state in Nigeria to give approval and ensure implementation of the N70,00 new National Minimum Wage to Kogi workers.

“Arising from the above, the National leadership resolved to bestow an Award of “2024 Best Governor in Nigeria” to our pragmatic and conscience driven Gov. Ahmed Usman Ododo.

“This award will serve as impetus for the governor to continue to with his good work and do more for the benefit of workers as well as entire citizens of Kogi.

“Your Excellency, we are happy to identify with your administration and esteemed personality,” Oluwole said.

He, therefore affirmed the commitment of NCSU to working in partnership with all stakeholders in Trade Union movement in Kogi to ensure the sustainability of industrial peace with adequate priority to workers’ welfare.

The NCSU president, however urged the workers in the state to redouble their efforts to justify the trust and the high expectations from them.

In his remarks, the Head of Civil Service of Kogi State, Mr Elijah Evinemi, who declared the NEC meeting open on behalf of the Governor, promised to continually extend his good hand of fellowship to the union.

Evinemi, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Establishment, Training, Industrial and Labour Matters, Mrs Memunat Shuaibu, urged NCSU to continue to show guidance and ensure that other unions emulate professionalism, good work ethics that would propel the country to the desired greatness.

Evinemi commended the union for the Grand Patron Award bestowed on him, and reaffirmed his commitment to ensure that the union live up to expectations for better service delivery.

In his remarks, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Labour Matters, Comrade Onuh Edoka, who also received the union’s “Architect of Modern Trade Union Award”, commended NCSU for the choice of Kogi to host its 80th NEC meeting.

Edoka stressed that the governor had been able to unite all Kogites as one irrespective of tribes and religion, saying the people now see themselves as one.

The former Labour leader added that the governor had appointed nine Labour leaders into his cabinet among who were Commissioners, Special Advisers, Senior Special Assistants, and others.

The former Kogi NLC Chairman added that both the state and local government workers are receiving 100 per cent salaries, 35 per cent Hazard allowance, N72,500 the minimum wage with tax waivers as well as training and retraining of workers.

“If governors were being produced out of Civil servants, they would have been adding great values to the workers just like our own Governor Ododo in Kogi is doing,” Edoka said.

He, therefore reiterated his complete loyalty to Ododo’s Administration for his tireless efforts in improving the welfare of workers in the state.

Earlier, the state Chairman of NCSU, Comrade Sheidu Ali, commended the governor for his tremendous achievements in workers’ welfare, health, education, security, infrastructure, among others.

Ali, however appealed to the governor to address the issue of Non cash-backing for promotion as well as Non employment of staff as replacement for teaming retired staff.

“I, hereby appeal to our worker- friendly governor to recruit workers into the state civil service in order to guide against imminent collapse of the system,” Ali said.

The governor was honoured as the “2024 Best Governor in Nigeria”; Edoka got an Award of Excellence as the “Architect of Modern Trade Union in Kogi”; and Evinemi as the Grand Patron of NCSU.

The NSCU 80th edition of NEC meeting in Lokoja, which was the first time since the creation of Kogi over 30 years ago, witnessed participants from all the 36 States of the federation including FCT.