Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has sparked celebrations among state workers by approving a new minimum wage of N72,500, effective immediately. The newly approved wage surpasses the federal government’s N70,000 minimum wage for both private and public sectors by N2,500.
Governor Ododo made this announcement while receiving the report of the state’s minimum wage implementation committee, chaired by the Head of Service, Elijah Avenemi. He reaffirmed his commitment to the welfare of all workers, emphasizing his desire to improve their standard of living. To further ease the financial burden on workers, the governor granted a one-year tax relief, announcing that no Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) tax or other deductions would be applied during this period.
Ododo, a former labor leader and civil servant, expressed empathy for the plight of workers, drawing from his own experience. He stated that his administration is dedicated to ensuring that the state’s resources are used to benefit the people, particularly the workers, who had played a significant role in electing him.
“You people generously elected me as your governor, and the resources of the state belong to you all. I am just your chief servant, and I will ensure that the resources are allocated to all sectors fairly and equitably,” he said. The governor also acknowledged the efforts of labor leaders and the government in conducting staff audits and screenings in previous administrations to ensure that rightful workers, and not ghost workers, receive their due entitlements.
The chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Kogi State, Comrade Gabriel Amari, praised Governor Ododo for his commitment to workers' welfare. Amari lauded the governor’s swift action in setting up the minimum wage implementation committee, noting that while other states are yet to establish such committees, Kogi has already implemented a new wage structure that brings joy to workers.
Amari assured the governor of workers' continued dedication to their duties and pledged their support for his administration’s efforts to improve the state.
This development has further cemented Governor Ododo’s reputation as a workers' friendly leader, with promises of timely salary payments and other initiatives aimed at improving the working conditions of Kogi State employees.
