Congratulations to Kogi workers
Paying workers well is one way of motivating them and getting them committed to their job.
Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, is one man, who understands this secret and he’s putting it to use.
One can as well say the state is on its way to greatness. After all, when the workers are motivated, commitment is rest assured.
Last week, the state made history when the Governor approved N72,500 (seventy-two thousand five hundred naira) minimum wage for Kogi Civil Servants.
The approval took immediate effect, with the suspension of the tax burden on this approved sum for a period of one year.
The civil servants in the state are in for a robust welfare and conducive working environment courtesy of Ododo.
The new wage will help civil servants cope with the current economic challenges facing the country.
The Governor, on the occasion, reassured the public that the state government is dedicated to improving the welfare of its employees and creating a conducive working environment for all.
Meanwhile, the agreement on the minimum wage is a victory for the people, rather than any political party.
The feat also calls for maximum cooperation and support of stakeholders, especially the beneficiaries, to show commitment, diligence, and dedication to work.
Ododo has shown that he places priority on the welfare of workers.
During the last Sallah, he paid salary on 14th, thereby becoming the first governor to pay salary before 15th of any month.
The feat recorded by the state government has been commended in several quarters.
The Commissioners serving in the state under the auspices of Forum of Kogi State Commissioners in a communique, signed by the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Kingsley Fanwo, last week Wednesday in Lokoja, said the Governor had never put anyone in doubt as to his commitment to the welfare of workers and the entirety of the Kogi people.
They described the Governor’s action as “blazing the trail with a living wage for workers”, saying Kogi workers would no doubt give their best to the development of the state.
“We are proud of the Governor’s approach to issues of workers welfare and that of the good people of our dear state.
“The announcement of the N72,500.00 minimum wage and the tax relief granted for a year showed that the Governor is indeed a friend of the masses.
“It is an honour to serve with His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, because of his determination and commitment to make Kogi better.
“He has built on the legacies of his predecessors and opened new windows of progress and development.
“As Commissioners, we are committed to working as his foot soldiers to deliver his promises to the great people of our dear state,” the Forum said.
Sequel to the approval of new minimum wage for the workers, Ododo on October 5th, World Teachers’ Day, assured of adequate training for teachers in the state.
He promised adequate training for teachers to enhance their capacity and more productivity.
The Governor stated this during the 2024 Teachers Day celebration, with the theme “Valuing Teacher Voices: Towards a new Social Contract for Education.”
He noted that as those who mentored the present leaders and still mentoring future leaders, their welfare will be the cardinal point of his administration, saying his administration has provided robust intervention in the educational sector, particularly the basic education in the state.
He mentioned that he will continue to work for enhance welfare package and conducive working environment for teachers in the state to enable them carry out their duties.
Recall that the Teachers’ Day celebration was last observed in the state over ten years ago.
He appreciated Kogi teachers for the good jobs they are doing in the provision quality teaching and moulding the characters of the children to be able to contribute to the development of the state, saying that they are the owners of the government as the teachers who has mentored those at all levels of government.
“The importance of the teaching profession cannot be overemphasised, as they are the ones who taught all other professionals. I will, therefore, continue to support them by attending to their welfare and providing them with a conducive working environment.
He noted that this year theme of the celebration cannot be more apt than now, so as to enable the operators of the nation to formulate policies that will guide the development of the country.
“In the forefront of agitations for improvement in the education sector are the teachers. We are going to work with you to achieve this. I commend your hard work and contribution to the development of our dear state.
“My administration has provided robust intervention in the educational sector, particularly the basic education in the state. We are going to put in place adequate training for our teachers that will enhance their capacity and more productivity.
He listed the achievements of his administration to include, massive investment in education, improved healthcare delivery, adequate security of lives and property of citizens, construction and rehabilitation of roads across the state, intervention in the Agricultural sector and inclusive governance among others.
He solicited advise from the people, particularly the teachers, so as to enable his government to continue to deliver the good dividends of democracy to the people of the state, adding that his doors are opened to any constructive engagement that will contribute to the overall development of the state.
He thanked the NUT national for the award of excellence give to him, saying that the message for him here is to do more for teachers and other sectors of the state.
Speaking on the demands of the teachers, Governor Ododo, noted that their demands would be looked into with a view to addressing them in line with the availability of funds.
