The governor of Cross River State in southern Nigeria, Senator Bassey Otu, has appealed to the organized labour to suspend its planned industrial action.
A statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Nsa Gill, indicated that Senator Otu urged labour in the state to reconsider its planned two-days warning strike, which was scheduled to commence from midnight on Sunday, the 24th of November, to Tuesday, the 26th of November, 2024.
Gill stated that Governor Otu, who was represented by his deputy, Dr. Peter Odey made this appeal during the 5th edition of the Cross River State Solemn Assembly held on Saturday at the U.J. Esuene Stadium in Calabar, the capital of Cross River State.
“Governor Otu prioritizes the welfare of the workforce. In light of this, I appeal to the leadership of organized labour along with all affiliates of the NLC (Nigeria Labour Congress) and the TUC (Trade Union Congress) to suspend their planned state-wide strike. I enjoin them to support the governor in his quest to improve the lot of our people.”
Governor Otu’s spokesperson stated that the deputy governor highlighted the progress the administration has made since the inception of the Solemn Assembly, emphasizing that they are “committed to building a better Cross River for the benefit of all citizens.”
According to Gill, the deputy governor urged citizens to sustain their support and prayers for the administration to achieve its ‘People First’ agenda in line with the “Renewed Hope Agenda” of Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu.
He also indicated that Dr. Odey disclosed that the Otu led administration has made significant infrastructural improvements across the state’s three senatorial districts.
“This administration has made significant infrastructural improvements across the State. In each of the senatorial districts, we have significant infrastructural reforms such as road construction and renovation, the rehabilitation of the Governor’s Office Calabar; the State Library complex and government lodges in Calabar, Abuja, as well as Lagos.
“Besides that, this administration is also committed to health sector improvements, agriculture and education sectors development geared towards better welfare for Cross River State citizens,” the deputy governor was quoted as saying.
To the organised labour, Gill indicated that the deputy governor reiterated the commitment of Governor Otu to improving conditions for serving and retired workers especially “clearing backlogs of gratuities, regularizing pension payments and implementing promotions.”
Governor Otu’s spokesperson stated that the deputy governor assured of the intention to pay the minimum wage benchmark of seventy thousand naira (₦70,000).
During the solemn assembly, Gill stated that the Guest Preacher and Founder of Streams of Joy International, Pastor Jerry Eze, delivered a message on the theme, “Ebenezer: A State Helped by God” and advised Christians, particularly those in leadership positions to lead with the fear of God and embody Christ-like values in their actions.
He indicated that Pastor Eze praised the Cross River State’s administration for organizing the solemn assembly, highlighting its commitment to seeking God’s guidance and noting that Cross River was one of the few states to prioritize putting “God First.”
He stated that the service featured special prayers offered for the governor and his family, his deputy, the Cross River State Executive Council members, traditional rulers, other officials and the people in general.
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