By Yekini Jimoh
When the present Governor of Kogi state, Alhaji Ahmed Ododo won the Governorship election in the state people were apprehensive particularly workers.
Why are they apprehensive?. The reason was not far fetched. During the first tenure of the former governor of the state, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, he set up screening committee to asserting the actual numbers of workers in the state headed by Alhaji Ahmed Ododo who was at that time local government Auditor General while his second Yakubu Okala who was the state Auditor General.
Many workers at the state level lost their job due to one problem or the other. Some were lucky as they were later cleared by the committee after meeting up with what was required by the screening committee.
At the local government area level, workers were collecting as low as N2,000 as salary, even though the then former governor met the problem on ground.
Today, the coming of Alhaji Ahmed Ododo as Governor has elevated the spirit of Kogi civil servants down to local government council
The man they ones passives as enemy is now workers friendly and blessing to them.
Immediately he came on board, he make sure he improved on the salary of local government workers by increasing their salaries and gradually they started collecting 100 percent salary.
He also appointed the immediate past State Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Onu Edoka as Special Adviser to the governor on Labour Matter.
On the other side, the state workers were not left out as Ododo make sure that promotion of workers is based on performance and also how dedicated and committed that person is to his duty.
Today, he was the first governor to implement N72,500 naira as minimum wage before other governors.
During the approval of the minimum wage, the governor also gave tax relief to all the workers in the state for the next one year adding that no any Pay- as – you – earn ( PAYE) tax nor any form of deductions will be made within the next one year.
Governor Ododo in his address 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.
In his words: ” I can not 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 belong to them as workers and not ghost workers ” he added
Ododo then called on the workers to continue to cooperate with his administration and give him all the necessary support to succeed assuring them of their prompt payment of their salaries.
The governor also made history by approving a new pension harmonization of N10,000 for pensioners in Kogi State, breaking a 20-year record since the last pension adjustment.
The Governor made approval
the sum of ten thousand Naira as harmonization allowance for all pensioners in Kogi state while addressing the Pensioners on the Report of the Pension Lift submitted by the Head of Civil Service, Mr Elijah Evenemi.
This groundbreaking move is an indication that Governor Ododo is committed to improving the lives of Kogi State citizens, particularly pensioners.
In another significant development, Governor Ododo also announced that all pensioners in the state will be covered under the state Health Insurance Scheme. This move ensures that pensioners will have access to quality healthcare, further improving their overall well-being.
The State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Mr. Ohida Otaru, expressed gratitude to Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for granting the union an audience after a 20-year wait. This meeting marked a significant turning point in the union’s quest for improved welfare for its members. Mr. Ohida praised the governor’s prudent use of state resources to positively impact citizens and his commitment to paying 100% salaries to local government staff.
He specifically commended the governor’s pension adjustments, which will greatly enhance the welfare of senior citizens. The State Head of Service, Mr. Elijah Evinemi, echoed this sentiment, highlighting Governor Ododo’s passion for prioritizing retirees’ welfare.
Additionally, the Special Adviser on Labour Matters, Comrade Onu Edoka, applauded Governor Ododo’s swift approval of the New Pension Harmonization and that of the N72,500 minimum wage for workers, demonstrating his dedication to the well-being of the people.
The governor’s meeting with the Leadership of Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Kogi State Chapter highlights his commitment to engaging with various stakeholders in the state, including pensioners.
With these initiatives, Governor Ododo is transforming Kogi State and improving the lives of its pensioners and citizens as a whole
Just recently, the state Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress, (NLC), Comrade Amari Gabriel says the organizers Labour in Kogi State will soon troop out in their numbers to show appreciation to the governor..
The NLC boss who doubles as the Chairman of the Medical and Health Workers Union, said the attention of the Governor to workers welfare remains outstanding, explaining that it is now uhuru for the workforce.
According to the Medical and Health Workers Union Chairman, the various packages for workers and pensioners, including the recent minimum wage implementation have attracted encomium both from working class and other segments of the society.
He appreciated the government and the Special Adviser for putting smiles on the faces of the people, maintaining that a golden fish has no hiding place.
“Let me say it loud and clear that any where you go now, the Governor’s goodness has become the talk of the day and the people of the state are now happy, go to West, East and Central, the story is the same”, he stated.
Yekini Jimoh writes from Lokoja.
