Kano state Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has increased the length of service for teachers in the state from 35 years to 40 years

This has moved retirement age from 60 years to 65 years, for all categories of teachers in the state.

Ganduje disclosed this during the Nigeria Labour  Congress (NLC) Award Night, as part of activities marking this year’s workers’ day celebration, held at the Open Theatre, Government House, Kano, on Saturday, assuring that all the policies would be sustained.

“The length of service for our teachers has been 35 years, I am glad to inform this gathering that, we have now increased the duration to 40 years “. 

 “You are all aware that federal government has made a pronouncement by increasing the retirement age and the length of service of teachers serving under federal government. So we don’t want teachers in Kano state to be left behind,” emphasized Ganduje.

He said the gesture was to motivate and promote teachers commitment  to their duties.

He made it categorically clear that, all teachers from primary to secondary schools up to tertiary institutions, would benefit from the new development, adding that, “…this is an innovation that we cherish and it will be sustained.”

“Our teachers are our fathers. They are the backbone of sustainable development. Because without education there is no development. Then if we are to sustain our system of education, then their welfare is absolutely necessary.” 

 “You could recall some two or three years back, we promoted our teachers and paid them increased salary for their promotion. Which affected the payment of our monthly salaries with over N500m. That is unprecedented.”said Ganduje.

The Chairman of the Kano State Branch of NLC, Comrade Kabiru Ado Minjibir, commended the state governor but like Oliver Twist presented more request to the state government.

“Review for retirement age for civil servants in the state and local governments services. Like what was done to teachers, in their own category. This action will equally reduce the massive increase or pensioners with another 5 years. Thereby giving an opportunity for State Pension Fund to offset its outstanding liabilities.”

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Labour leaders in Oyo State have called on Governor Seyi Makinde to be the first among governors in the country to grant full financial autonomy to the legislative and judicial arms of government.

The labour leaders, including the State Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress, (NLC), Comrade Kayode Martins and the Trade Union Chairman, Comrade Emmanuel Ogundiran, who said it would be a landmark accomplishment which would never be erased through generations to come, made the call in their separate remarks at the 2021 Workers’ Day Celebration which held at the Obafemi Awolowo (formerly Liberty) Stadium, Oke Ado area, Ibadan.

Comrade Martins appreciated the governor for his efforts at making life easier and better for the workers in the state, while also appealing that more serious attention should be given to insecurity and land grabbing issues, among others challenges facing the state.

He said: “We also plead that the governor and his team intensify their efforts on the lingering insecurity and kidnapping that seem to engulf the entire country. This will give confidence to all workers in all locations to go about their work without any fear whatsoever.”

“The NLC wants to also appeal to the government of His Excellency, Engr. Seyi Makinde, to please have a rethink on the planned demolition of the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS) Staff quarters. We rather seek his kind consideration in renovating the existing quarters and building more that can accommodate more staffs so as to have smooth transmission of programmes,” Martins pleaded.

He appealed that the casual members of staff at BCOS that have spent up to five years and above should be employed into the stream, with their vast knowledge, saying it would be unfair for the management of BCOS to train and lose the trained staff to other media organisations.

Also speaking, the TUC Chairman, Comrade Ogundiran, urged all workers in the state to cooperate with the Governor Seyi Makinde-led administration as way of mitigating the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on resource generation and utilisation.

In his remarks, Governor Seyi Makinde, who reiterated all the supports the administration is giving to the workforce in the state, urged the people to collaborate with security agencies to help address the menace of security challenges facing the state, saying security is one sector that all must remain interested in, to continue growing the economy.

Makinde noted: “If our neighbourhoods are not secure, we will not have an economy to drive. So, please work with us. Do not allow any individual or group to divide us: christians, muslims, indigenes, residents, men, women, youths, whatever you may profess, we are one.”

“We all want the same things. We want our lives to be better, so let us all work together. We also know that there are criminal elements who want to disrupt the peace. As good citizens, our war should be against them. So, if you see something, say something and let the security agencies take charge and do something,” the governor asserted.

The 2021 Workers’ Day, set aside by the United Nations to commemorate and recognise the achievements of the workers’ movement, has the theme: COVID-19 Pandemic, Social and Economic Crises: Challenges for Decent Jobs, Social Protection and People’s Welfare.

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