May Day: Kwara State Governor Promises to Implement New Minimum Wage

The Kwara State Governor, North Central Nigeria AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Wednesday assured workers in the state that his administration will continue to review its responses to the current economic realities, including the implementation of another minimum wage as soon as all processes have been concluded.

This is even as the governor hailed the invaluable contributions of workers to the socio-economic growth and development of the state.

AbdulRazaq, in his May Day message, noted that: “Workers are an integral component of governance. They are the life-wire that drives governmental activities geared towards sustainable development. Today, we recognise the invaluable contributions of workers to the socioeconomic growth and development of our state.

He said that amid other competing demands of public administration, infrastructural development, and keeping the fabric of the society together, his administration has responded in various ways to mitigate the teething effects of the fuel subsidy withdrawal.

He added: “We have introduced monthly transport support, otherwise known as wage award, staggered working days, and implemented various promotion and other welfare packages that are meant to strengthen the spending powers of the workers. We have similarly rolled out different layers of support to the general public in our holistic approach to lessen the impacts of the reforms.

“We will continue to review our responses within current realities, including the implementation of another minimum wage as soon as all processes have been concluded.

“As our country courageously navigates the post-subsidy challenges, we acknowledge the fact that we have a responsibility to provide good and sustainable governance to the people of Kwara, and we are committed to always remain true to the oath we have sworn to protect the people.

“I thank the organised labour and our workers in Kwara State for their support, understanding, and resilience. I appreciate their bold embrace of the future with hope, even as they diligently contribute positively to the development of our state. We do not take that for granted.”

In a similar development, Senator Saliu Mustapha, who represents Kwara Central in the National Assembly joins millions of Nigerians to salute and congratulate the nation’s workers on the celebration of the 2024 International Workers’ Day.

The Senator in a statement released by his media assistant, Nasif Sholagberu on Wednesday, praised the dedication of Nigerian workers, noting that they are a vital force in Nigeria’s growth and should take pride in their contributions.

He stated that Nigeria as a nation must continue to recognise and celebrate the selfless service of its workers, who have contributed immensely to the country’s development.

The lawmaker also commended the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) for its commitment to uniting Nigerian workers and providing them with a clear sense of direction.

He appealed to them to always support the policies and programmes of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu-led administration in the task of building a better nation for all citizens.

Senator Mustapha urged the government to continue prioritizing workers’ welfare, noting that they are the backbone of the nation’s economy. He concluded by extending his best wishes to all Nigerian workers, assuring them of his continued support and always advocating for their rights.

Also in the same vein, the Senator representing Kwara North senatorial district Sadiq Umar said, “Today, we celebrate the invaluable contributions of the resilient Nigerian workforce towards the growth and development of our nation. The dedication, hard work, and commitment of our workers serve as the bedrock of our economy, driving progress and prosperity across various sectors.

I commend the people of Kwara North and beyond for their unwavering commitment to effective and efficient governance. Their resilience, dedication to duty and spirit of enterprise continue to inspire us as leaders to strive to ensure we build a more inclusive and equitable society, upholding the rights and welfare of workers, and fostering an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.

I equally commend the Kwara State Government under the pragmatic leadership of His Excellency, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for its labour-friendly administration leading to the relative Industrial peace being witnessed in the State.

As we commemorate Workers’ Day, I wish all Nigerians a joyous and rewarding celebration. May we continue to strive for excellence and work towards a brighter future for our beloved country.

In celebrating the workforce in the State, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Yakub Danladi, said, “It is another day to acknowledge and celebrate the workforce of our great nation, Nigeria, and our dear state, Kwara in Particular. As we do always, we appreciate the resilience, commitment, dedication, and sacrifices of our workers, they remain essential to the overall development of our dear country as they contribute immensely to Nigeria’s growth. 

As lawmakers, we are committed to giving legislative backing to improve the welfare of our workers, give them a living wage, and make life more bearable for them in appreciation of the invaluable services they render. 

On this Workers’ Day, on behalf of the Kwara State House of Assembly, I celebrate our workers with pride and I wish them a happy and fulfilling day.

Dominica Nwabufo