By Kehinde Erin
Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, has granted state workers another one-year tax holiday, building on last year’s relief, during the 2025 May Day celebration at the Muhammadu Buhari Civic Center in Lokoja recently.
The Governor stated that the tax holiday is an additional relief to cushion the economic hardship on workers, following the earlier one-year tax exemption granted when the new national minimum wage was approved and implemented.
The Governor also approved the extension of the retirement age for health professionals from 60 to 65 years or 35 to 40 years of service, and directed the immediate provision of potable water to the Comrade Onuh Edoka Labour House for workers and residents.
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The Governor acknowledged workers’ contributions to Kogi State’s development, emphasising that a responsive government prioritises workers’ welfare, but cited economic challenges for not meeting all of Labour’s demands at once.
He promised continued focus on workers’ welfare, describing them as the backbone of government, and assured that pensioners, education, youth empowerment, and women’s development would also receive attention.
“Our three state owned universities are thriving and progressing steadily, and we are happy that they have met the necessary standards and will produce manpower that will compete favourably with their counterparts across the world and our assignment is to serve humanity”, the Governor stated.
The Governor stated that his administration has consistently released N105 million monthly as gratuity to local government retirees, fulfilling his promises to the people.
In his address, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) State Chairman, Comrade Gabriel Amari, thanked Governor Ododo for his efforts so far, but urged the administration to carefully consider their demands to give workers more hope.
On his part, the State Head of Service, Dr. Elijah Evinemi, praised the administration for prioritising workers’ welfare and urged them to reciprocate by being dedicated to their duties.
Contributing, the Governor’s Special Adviser on Labour, Comrade Onuh Edoka, noted that Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo was the first to approve and implement the new national minimum wage, a feat recognised by the national leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).Comrade Edoka praised the Governor for appointing labour leaders to key positions, assuring that workers would reciprocate in due course.
