*Plus Blow By Blow Pictures Of The Event
As world generally celebrating Workers’Day, Oyo State was not left out as workers in the state joined their counterparts from across the globe in celebrating annual May Day.
It was a colourful event at Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, formerly Liberty Stadium, venue of this year’s celebration. This year’s May Day celebration witnessed the presence of too numerous to count associations, ranging from professionals to artisans, which are categorized under the auspices of organized labour- Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC).
Governor Seyi Makinde
The Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde lauded both private and government workers in the state, for their unflinching support and contributions towards the economic growth of the state.
The Governor, in his May Day message, acknowledged the dedication and commitment of the workers. He said that the success recorded in the state in the last two years would not have been possible if not for the positive attitude of the workers.
According to the governor, “It has been a year already. And what a year it has been? Last year, when we celebrated Workers Day, we could not gather together because we were amid a pandemic.
“This year, the situation has not really changed, yet, it has also changed in many ways. Today, we see a consistent decline in the numbers of COVID-19 infections. For this reason, we can gather for the workers’ parade with appropriate protocols in place.
“It might not be as elaborate as we would wanted it to be, but we thank God that we can celebrate. We have had a rewarding year. And we have only you – the great workers of Oyo State – to thank for it.”
Makinde also noted that all workers, including artisans, business owners, corporate bodies and other workers operating in the state impacted positively on the steady economic growth of the state.
His words, “We celebrate you because the economy of Oyo State is built on your efforts. Never ever imagine that your contribution is too small. Never ever think that your efforts go unnoticed. When the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) presents its periodic scorecards, we know that our economy is thriving not just because of foreign investments but also because of our local investors.
“For example, we were in the top three states with the highest full-year IGR growth rate. In the 2020 NBS report, our Internally Generated Revenue grew by 42.23%. You, the workers in Oyo State, are our biggest investors.
“Everyone, from the civil servants who open the gate to the secretariat every morning and shut them at the close of day; the Directors-General who manage agencies; the clerks who make entries in files; the aides who follow up on requests; the entrepreneurs running businesses in various sectors; the market men and women in Alesinloye Market; the shoemaker at the street corner; the farmer in Oke-Ogun – we all are doing something to make Oyo State great, and I thank you for your contributions.
“When I spoke to you last year, I gave you my word that no worker in the Oyo State civil or public service will be paid with ‘bear with us’ at the end of any month. I am happy to report that we have kept that promise. While other states are paying their workers in percentages, we have consistently paid full salaries on the 25th of each month. And last December, we paid the 13th month salary for the second year running. We have been making prompt payment of pensions and clearing the backlog of gratuity payments we inherited.
“So far, we have paid over N13 billion in gratuities. We also have other measures to improve workers’ welfare in Oyo State, such as prompt approval of car and housing loans. We have also revisited the issue of civil servants who were denied promotions for the past five years. They have sat for their exams, and letters will be issued to successful candidates soon.”
Governor Makinde, spoke further on his administration’s efforts towards implementing policies that impact positively on civil servants in the state. He added that workers in the private and informal sectors have also been touched by the massive efforts the government has put into infrastructure and other key areas.
“However, we know that not every worker in Oyo State is a civil servant. So, while we are making every effort to keep civil servants happy and more efficient at work, we are also concerned about the individuals in the private sector.
“Therefore, in the past year, we have taken all necessary steps to turn around the economic fortunes of all residents of Oyo State. For example, we have invested massively in Infrastructure.
“People now make the joke that Oyo State is a massive construction site. The result is that we have cut down on travel time in some areas. If you were travelling from Ibadan to Saki, you would go through the newly constructed 65km Moniya-Ijaiye-Iseyin Road as we did last Christmas,” the governor said.
He also disclosed that the actualisation of the elongation of directorate to grade level 17 had been approved by his administration.
Equally, Governor Makinde assured the state’s workforce that its welfare would continue to be the priority of his administration, even as he urged workers not to relent in doing what would enhance the development of the state.
“Last year, we used the agribusiness sector to drive our economic growth. We supported farmers for improved yields, collaborated with the private sector to improve processing capabilities, and even rehabilitated or resuscitated previously moribund industries.
“In the next year, we will be building on our expanded base and focus. We will be actively promoting investments in the solid minerals sector and tourism. We have already started speaking to investors in these sectors. By the time we present our next scorecard, you will be seeing the results,” the governor maintained.
NLC Chairman, Comrade Kayode Martins
The Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Kayode . Martins appreciated the unrelenting and proactive efforts of Governor Seyi Makinde for meeting with challenges of deadly corona virus and insecurity head-on.
He attributed the success of the governor to wide consultation, use of modern and best practices in public service delivery, improved welfare package (special the just earmarked fund which is about pensioners) for Oyo State workers, joint initiatives in handling security and investment in public infrastructures.
Martins reassured that the workforce will not cease or relent in making Oyo State truly a pace setter state.
He charged to be the first Governor to fully grant and implement Judiciary and Parliament autonomy. He stated that this will ever be a landmark accomplishment which can never be erase all through generation and generations to come.
Martins also pleaded that the Governor and his team should intensify efforts on the lingering insecurity and kidnapping that as seems to engulf the entire country. He said that this will give confidence to all workers in all locations to go about their work without any fear whatsoever.
The NLC boss appealed to the government to have a rethink on the planned demolition of the BCOS quarters. We rather seek his kind consideration in renovating the existing quarters and build more that can accommodate more staff.
Comrade Martins called attention of Governor Seyi Makinde to the issue of land grabbers which has become a very serious in the state. He appealed to the governor to look into it.
TUC Chairman, Comrade Emmanuel Ogundiran
In his remark, Ogundiran noted that Governor Makinde has devoted himself to repositioning Oyo State “to where it can realistically be called the Pace setter.”
He pointed out that the pronouncement of the elongation of Directorate in Oyo state to GL.17 and the gradual re-invigoration of the civil/public service through recruitment of new blood into the service, are among the giant strides of the Makinde’s administration.
Comrade Ogundiran urged the labour unions in the state to continue to play their parts in moving the state and the country at large, forward.
Comrade Ogundiran noted that the Workers Day is an opportunity not only to mention the good things this Governor Seyi Makinde led administration has done or is doing, but also to point out areas of interest that need further attention.
He, therefore, appealed to governor to focus more on issue of security in the state
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