The Edo State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Bernard Joman Egwekhide, has commended the Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, for his decisive efforts to motivate workers, particularly through the recent approval of a 13th-month salary.
Comrade Joma lauded the Governor’s proactive leadership, noting that, within just one month in office, his initiatives signal that “Edo State is truly rising again.”
Governor Okpebholo’s approval of the 13th-month salary came just days ago, alongside a policy granting automatic employment to First Class graduates of Edo origin from universities across Nigeria and abroad. This initiative, tied to the Graduate Development Programme (GDP), aims to enhance the quality of manpower within the state’s civil service, ensuring effective service delivery and fostering growth and development.
The NLC Chairman emphasised that these steps are designed to inspire workers to give their best. “The Governor is doing this to serve as motivation for workers, and they are ready to put in their best for maximum delivery,” he said.
On behalf of Edo workers, Comrade Joma appealed to the Governor to fully implement the ₦70,000 minimum wage, following the example of his counterparts in other states. Reflecting on the challenges of the past, he remarked:
“You see, what the former governor did was a parting gift to workers, according to him, Godwin Obaseki. He never implemented it. He told us, the leaders of organized labour in the state. He knew that even if he approved it, he would not be in office again to implement it. So, we, the organized labour, are appealing to our Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, to fully implement the ₦70,000 minimum wage for us.”