May Day: Aregbesola Approves Promotion, Confirmation, Conversion Of Workers

By Kehinde Ayantunji

The Governor of the state of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola on Tuesday announced the approval of promotion, confirmation and conversion for the state workers in the state and promised the workers to produce a successor that will be workers-friendly.

Governor Aregbesola described Osun workers as partners in progress who have sacrificed their comfort for the development of the state and urged them to extend the same support to his successor.

Aregbesola made the declaration while addressing workers during this year May Day Celebration held at Osogbo city stadium

The governor commended the workers for their support and hardwork which assisted his administration in achieving infrastructure feats  in the first two years of his second term when he could not appoint cabinet members as a result of paucity of funds.

Aregbesola urged the workers to be more committed to the principle of anonymity, impartiality and objectivity.

He said, “What is expected of you is dedication and commitment to the objective of governance; as civil servant, it is your duty to serve the people, all political appointees will be leaving within a short time, it is only the civil servants that have permanent seats in governance.

“Despite the paucity of fund, we have demonstrated unprecedented commitment to the welfare of the workers.  Up till today it is Osun, Lagos, Niger and Rivers that have been sustaining insurance policy for workers, the money is not available, but we have to strive hard in fulfilling the obligation”, Aregbesola said.

He added that his administration appointed 9 Headmaster General in the state and urged the workers to work hard in generating surplus that would be enough to cater for better wages.

According to him, the state government can pay N100,000 minimum wage if there is means but in the circumstances of lack of fund, it would be practically impossible, saying the only alternative to better remuneration is internal revenue.

Aregbesola also announced that his administration is in support of the clamour for a new minimum wage, adding that his administration has put machinery in place to engage the workers on the new minimum wage.

Speaking earlier, the State Chairman Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Jacob Adekomi said Governor Aregbesola has changed the architecture of the state through massive infrastructural development.

He commended the governor for not disengaging workers despite the economic recession that imposed financial burden on the government and urged the governor to double his efforts in improving the welfare of the workers, adding that the workers have sacrificed more than enough for the government.

Dignitaries at this year May Day programme includes the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola: Secretary to the state Government, Alhaji  Moshood Adeoti; Head of Service Olowogboyega Oyeboade; Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Adelani Baderinwa among others.