NLC, TUC, Others Celebrate Worker’s Day, as Akeredolu Reiterates Commitment To Their Welfare
By Collins Dupson, 1st May, 2022
The Organised Labour in Ondo State has joined the whole world to celebrate 2022 Worker’s Day. The ceremony was held at Gani Fawehinmi Arcade Ground in Akure, Ondo State Capital.
In an address, Comrade Oluwole Sunday Adeleye, Ondo state Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and National President of Nigeria Civil Service Union, said it was high time for workers to show interest in the electoral process in the country ahead of the 2023 general election.
Adeleye said, “2023 ELECTIONS: Following the theme of this year’s May Day Celebrations; ‘Labour, Politics and the Quest for Good Governance and Development, it is expected that as political minds’, we have to wake up and be alive to our civic duties as citizens of this nation.
“NLC has constituted political structures across the tiers of government i.e. Local Government Political Committee, State Political Committee and National Political Committee. Each State Chairperson of Congress has been empowered to activate these Committees and set necessary machineries in motion to ensure our massive and active participation in every election going forward.
“You will all remember that, Labour had in the past floated the Labour Party before it was hijacked by the men of the political class. However, we are coming back as a strong and viable force to take over what rightly belong to us. Never again will our destinies be determined behind us.
“I, therefore charge every worker to go and get their PVCs in order to be armed with the power to choose rightly at the polis. Power indeed belongs to the people and we must demonstrate it,” the NLC Chairman said in an address read by his Vice Chairman, Comrade Victor Amoko.
The State Chairman, Trade Union Congress, Comrade (Mrs) Helen Odofin in her address, appreciated God for the gift of life and for the opportunity to converge for the celebration.
She added that May Day is an annual event worldwide to recognize the invaluable contributions of workers across different sectors to national development and Its history dates back to the late nineteenth century when the workers came together to agitate for an 8-hour workday without a cut in pay, which was against the hitherto 10-16 hours which was considered injurious to the health and wellbeing of workers.
Odofin on behalf of TUC, stressed that the government is doing well in the timely promotion of workers in the state, urging him to keep on with the good work.
Speaking, Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu,SAN, represented by Commissioner of Finance Mr Akinterinwa congratulated the workers in the state as they celebrate this year Worker’s Day.
He saluted the resilience and dedication of the civil servants which have engendered optimum service delivery to the people of the state.
The Governor appreciated the leadership of the organized labour in the state for the continued exhibition of maturity, understanding and support, particularly at these challenging times.
“The workers are the strong engine room of every government. Their contributions to the success of any administration can not be over-emphasized.
“It is in recognition of the importance of our workers that this administration has continued to place premium on their welfare.
“We have set aside the obnoxious practice which encouraged partisan politics and truncate the careers of committed public servants. Our administration has in the last five years, determined the promotion of public servant on merit. These promotion exercises are regular and timely.
“We have repositioned our civil service and promote discipline among public officers. We have instilled values that encourage better performance and reward hard work. We shall continue to get better.
“We have recently approved the bifurcation of the Directorate of Finance and Administration into two departments. This is in line with the Federal Government’s directive that the directorate be separated into two departments for the purpose of specialization and to promote optimum service delivery.
“The newly bifurcated departments are the Finance and Accounts; and the Administration and Supplies. It is our belief that this bifurcation will further strengthen the delivery of services and allow core professionals to handle their schedules. We will continue to strive for more excellence in the civil service.
“While we are optimistic that better days await us, we shall not shy away from performing our avowed responsibilities. We shall keep exploring every available means to ensure that we meet our obligations of paying workers salaries, pensions and gratuities, and subventions as and when due, despite the paucity of fund and the dwindling federal allocation.” The Governor said.
Governor Akeredolu urged the workers to rededicate themselves to the service of the state and join hands with his administration to deliver on the “REDEEMED” agenda of his second term in office.
