Aiyedatiwa celebrates workers, highlights welfare, security efforts in Ondo

…….HoS hails public service reforms

……….Labour demands reforms amid rising cost of living

By Tolulope Eniola

Ondo State Governor, Dr Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa has commended workers for their resilience and contributions to the development of the state, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to improved welfare, security and economic opportunities.

Speaking at the 2026 Workers’ Day celebration held at the Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Arcade in Akure, on Friday, the governor described workers as the “true architects of development” and the driving force behind governance and societal progress.

He noted that May Day remains a symbol of the historic struggle for dignity in labour, fairness in wages and justice, stressing that no nation can rise above the quality and commitment of its workforce.

Govenor Aiyedatiwa praised organised labour, including the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and Joint Negotiating Council (JNC), for maintaining industrial harmony and fostering constructive engagement with government.

The governor said his administration’s “OUR EASE” agenda is focused on prioritising workers’ welfare, enhancing productivity and promoting shared prosperity.

Addressing the theme of this year’s celebration, “Insecurity and Poverty: Bane of Decent Work,” Aiyedatiwa outlined measures taken to tackle both challenges.

He disclosed that the state had strengthened the Amotekun Corps with the recruitment of 500 additional personnel and provision of operational equipment to boost security.

He added that government was investing in the judiciary, including the ongoing construction of the Oluwarotimi Akeredolu Judiciary Complex, as well as supporting judicial autonomy to strengthen the rule of law.

On poverty reduction, the governor highlighted programmes in skill acquisition, digital innovation, agriculture and enterprise support aimed at empowering youths and women, alongside efforts to revitalise technical and vocational education.

Govenor Aiyedatiwa also listed achievements in workers’ welfare, including regular promotions without arrears, prompt payment of salaries and allowances and the recruitment of over 4,000 personnel across key sectors.

He said the administration had cleared outstanding salary issues at Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, and was implementing a new minimum wage structure in the institution.

The governor further noted that gratuities for retirees were being paid in phases, with arrears for 2018 and 2019 already settled, while efforts were ongoing to sustain regular payments.

In the health sector, he pointed to the expansion of the Orange Health Insurance Scheme and ongoing development of healthcare facilities across the state to ensure wider access to quality care.

Aiyedatiwa urged workers to remain dedicated, innovative and committed to excellence, calling on them to reject mediocrity and contribute meaningfully to the growth of the state.

He reiterated his administration’s resolve to build an Ondo State where productivity is rewarded, integrity is upheld and every worker is empowered to thrive.

 

In his welcome address, the Head of Service, Bayo Philip, commended the administration’s reforms in the public service, describing his remarks as valedictory as he approaches statutory retirement.

He said the government had ensured prompt promotions, regular salary payments, improved healthcare support and enhanced welfare for retirees, noting that salary reviews had been implemented beyond national benchmarks.

Philip also commended the recruitment of thousands of workers, describing it as unprecedented within a short period and lauded the appointment of Permanent Secretaries, which he said had strengthened career progression and restored confidence in the civil service.

He further praised the conversion of long-serving contract staff at the Social and Community Development Agency into permanent employment after nearly two decades of service.

He added that Permanent Secretaries appointed under the administration were being supported with business empowerment packages upon retirement.

He commended labour leaders for sustaining industrial peace, noting that there had been no strikes, picketing or breakdown of relations in the last two years, and urged continued dedication to duty.

In her remarks, the Controller of Labour and representative of the Minister of Labour and Employment, Olanike Mogboruko, conveyed the Minister’s goodwill to Nigerian workers.

She said Workers’ Day remains a global platform for recognising the contributions of workers to economic growth, national development and social stability.

She noted that the 2026 theme highlights the twin challenges of insecurity and poverty, which continue to undermine productivity and decent work, explaining that insecurity disrupts economic activity while poverty erodes dignity and opportunity.

She defined decent work as encompassing fair wages, safe working conditions, social protection and respect for workers’ rights, calling for sustained social dialogue among government, employers and labour.

Mogboruko commended the state government’s infrastructure drive, job creation efforts and industrial harmony, while urging stronger labour inspection and compliance enforcement.

She also called on workers to embrace productivity, innovation and responsible unionism.

On his part, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Ondo State Council, led by Comrade (Prince) Ademola, expressed concern over rising fuel prices, insecurity, poverty, teacher shortages, wage disparities and understaffing in the civil service.

He said insecurity had restricted farmers’ access to farmlands, while poverty and low remuneration had depressed living standards. He added that fuel price hikes had triggered inflation across transport, food, housing and essential services.

The NLC called for transport support allowance and a realistic living wage, commending the recruitment of 1,200 primary school teachers but warning that retirements had created manpower gaps in classrooms.

It demanded additional recruitment, appointment of headmaster-generals across senatorial districts, career advancement for graduate teachers from Grade Level 16 to 17, and review of retirement policies.

The union also raised concerns over Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, where workers reportedly still earn N18,000 despite approval of the N73,000 minimum wage in other institutions, urging full implementation and timely release of subventions.

It called for mass recruitment into the civil service, particularly confidential secretaries, and commended government for payment of gratuities, reduction of arrears to 2018/2019 at state level and 2014 at local government level, as well as payment of N1.4 billion pension arrears between August 2024 and August 2025. It urged full settlement of outstanding obligations before 2029.

Also speaking, the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Ondo State Council, led by Comrade Clement Fatuase, criticised governance gaps, insecurity and worsening poverty.

It said labour had recorded gains including payment of promotion arrears, settlement of pensions and gratuities, and recovery of over N1 billion from National Housing Fund deductions, but lamented administrative bottlenecks delaying approvals, particularly at the State Treasurer’s office.

The TUC decried unpaid wages for casual workers and rising cost of living driven by fuel, transport, rent, food, electricity and healthcare inflation, demanding a N50,000 monthly cost-of-living allowance.

It also called for union rights for motorcycle and tricycle operators, condemned violence in the transport sector, and alleged imbalance in motor park allocations.

The union urged revival of moribund industries such as Oluwa Glass and Ifon Ceramic, improved funding for technical education, recruitment of teachers, pension transparency, affordable housing and a review of remuneration for senior civil servants, warning that urgent reforms were necessary to avert systemic collapse.

Dignitaries present included the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji; Chief Judge of Ondo State, Justice Olusegun Odusola, represented by Justice Oluyemi Akintan Osadebe; President of the Customary Court of Appeal, Justice Eunice Alade; APC State Chairman, Hon. Kolawole Babatunde; Special Adviser to the Governor on Union Matters and Special Duties, Comrade Bola Taiwo; members of the State Executive Council; lawmakers; Commissioner of Police, CP Adebowale Lawal; permanent secretaries; and other top government officials.