The Kebbi State Governor, Dr Nasir Idris, has expressed delight over what he described as excellent industrial harmony in the state and urged labour unions to sustain the momentum.
Addressing workers at Haliru Abdu Stadium in Birnin Kebbi to commemorate the 2026 May Day, the Governor assured labour unions of improved welfare.
The theme of this year’s Workers’ Day celebration was: “Insecurity and Poverty: Bane of Decent Work.”
The Governor assured workers that his administration would continue to prioritise their welfare through inclusive governance and prompt payment of salaries and entitlements
He recalled his involvement in the labour movement and stressed that organised labour remained a vital partner in policy formulation and implementation.
Governor Idris said the administration would also sustain training and retraining programmes to boost workers’ morale and productivity across the state.
Highlighting achievements recorded by the administration, the governor said the state government had distributed 500 houses and recruited more than 2,200 health workers and 2,000 teachers.
He further explained that the government had revitalised 22 general hospitals, 179 primary healthcare centres, and 63 dispensaries to strengthen healthcare delivery in the state.
The Governor said the administration was working towards achieving universal healthcare coverage for residents.
To promote gender inclusion in governance, Governor Idris said five female permanent secretaries had been appointed by the administration.
On the minimum wage, the governor said Kebbi State had implemented a N75,000 minimum wage since October 2024, above the Federal Government’s N70,000 benchmark.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, in Kebbi State, Mr Murtala Usman, said insecurity continued to undermine workers’ welfare across the country.
He, however, acknowledged the efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Gov. Nasir Idris in addressing workers’ challenges.
“At the state level, we also acknowledge the efforts of Gov. Nasir Idris, especially in addressing workers’ plight,” he commended.
Usman praised the implementation of the new minimum wage, saying it had improved workers’ living conditions.
He added that the prompt payment of salaries, gratuities, pensions, and death benefits had strengthened workers’ confidence in the administration.
The labour leader also commended the governor for completing the multi-billion-naira ultra-modern state secretariat named after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and relocating workers to the facility.
“We must applaud your efforts in establishing the state mass transit system with 50 buses and employing 100 drivers,” he emphasised.
Usman further cited the employment of more than 1,000 workers to address understaffing in the state workforce.
He gave the assurance that organised labour would continue to promote industrial harmony, discipline, and productivity in the state.
