BENIN CITY – As workers worldwide mark May Day, Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has broken record among Governors in Nigeria by announcing N25,000.00 minimum wage for workers in Edo State with effect from May 1, 2016. The announcement of the new minimum wage from N18,000.00 to N25,000.00 by Governor Oshiomhole threw the Edo work force into ecstasy and jubilation for the magnanimity and workers-friendly disposition of the Governor.
Speaking during the May Day celebration at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City, Sunday, Governor Adams Oshiomhole said, “Let me congratulate you, the Chairman of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), and the leaders of the labour organizations in Edo State. I am particularly delighted to observe that this year, as we have been reliably informed and as I have seen myself, the presence of other unions, it shows that labour movement and the Nigerian Labour Congress have overcome their little internal differences and are here happy together in unity. As we were taught in our labour history, united we stand, divided we fall.
“Here this afternoon, beginning with effect from today, the least worker in Edo State, we will increase the salary from N18,000.00 to N25,000.00. Let me also explain that this wage increase that it is spread across all to the levels, not at the same rate, graduate it out, work out the details with the NLC. We will graduate it out such that even a director will get a salary increase.
“I want to thank you for your support these past seven and half years. I am humbled by your support, your prayers, your standing by me, your engaging by me and all of the things that God has used us to do together. I am proud that I did not disappoint you, I believe. I have tried to demonstrate that labour, ig given the opportunity, can work the talk, that we can deliver what others cannot deliver, and that we can bring joy and hope, and inspire people not to give up even in moments like these that are challenging.
“Mine is a miracle life. If you look at the forces that colonized this State, that diverted your resources, impoverish our people, and reduced Edo to a hopeless category, and the change that we have brought about, you will be able to say after me, that once upon a time, Edo State got to a level where people had no say, but then, God sent a Comrade, he built the Airport Road, God sent a Comrade, he built Sapele Road, God sent a Comrade, he built Siluko Road, God sent a Comrade, he built Upper Siluko Road, God sent a Comrade, he built Akpakpava Road, God sent a Comrade, he re-ordered Constane-Sinoro Road, God sent a Comrade, he built Upper Lawani Road, God sent a Comrade, he completed and dualized the Mission Road all the way to Upper Mission Road, connecting to Aduwawa, God sent a Comrade that is working on Forestry Road, God sent a Comrade that built a five-star hospital in the heart of Benin, God sent a Comrade that abolished school fees in all our senior secondary schools, God sent a Comrade that brought the Comrade Buses that the child of the poor may go school in uniform without paying fees, God brought a Comrade that ensured that teachers were paid as and when due, God brought a Comrade that lifted embargo on civil servants not to go beyond level, 16 and ensured they go on to level 17. God brought a Comrade that liberalized our politics, that dismissed the rich and ensured that the child of a cassava farmer like me can become a governor and dismissed the godfathers, and return power to the people of our State.
“God bless you. God bless the NLC, God bless the TUC, God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Also speaking earlier, the Chairman of Nigerian Labour Congress, Edo State, Comrade Emmanuel Ademokun said, “Comrade Governor, let me sincerely thank you on behalf of our colleagues in the Health sector for the 5% salary increase. As we are celebrating side by side May Day, with appreciating God for making one of us a Governor in our time, there is no doubt that in couple of months from now, you shall be rounding off your tenure constitutionally. The Edo workers will be glad to have you redeem the promise you made two May Days ago, that you will be adding something to their pay on yearly basis, starting from 2015. This gift will be one of the lasting legacies the Comrade Governor will be leaving in the hearts of the Edo workers.
Let me also thank the Comrade Governor and Edo State Government for their untiring support in spite of the enormous challenges of governance. We look forward to your positive response to all our demands.
In the same vein, the Chairman, Trade Union Congress, Edo State, Comrade Ohue Marshall said, “Comrade Governor sir, we are not surprised of the achievements recorded over the past seven years, looking at your antecedent as a former labour leader and now Governor. The massive infrastructural development across the length and breadth of Edo State speaks volume of your passion for the people of Edo State.
From left: Comrade Ohue Marshall, Chairman Trade Union Congress, Edo State; Comrade Emmanuel Ademokun, Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress, Edo State and Comrade Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State at the 2016 May Day rally held at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City, on Sunday.
