ABEOKUTA, OGUN STATE, NIGERIA – Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has approved the domestication of some resolutions of the National Council on Establishments (NCE) into the state’s civil service.
The State’s Head of Service, Mr. Kehinde Onasanya made the disclosure when the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Ogun State Council, led by its Chairman, Comrade Hameed Ademola-Benco paid him a courtesy visit on Thursday, July 25, 2024.
According to him, the governor, who remains a worker-friendly, focused, responsible and responsive leader, has approved the lateral conversion to corresponding officers cadre for Information Officers who will now be addressed as Information/Public Relations Officers, as well as entry points of Graduate Nurses and Engineers to GL 10, amongst other resolutions to further boost the morale of the workers.
Mr. Onasanya noted that the welfare of workers is paramount as their various concerns were being addressed.
According to him, the state government has paid the workers’ deductions from July 2022 till date and poised to clear outstanding ones between March 2021 and June 2022, while leave allowances have also been settled from January 2023 till date and arrears being worked upon for clearance, adding that July salaries have equally been paid.
Giving credence to the proactive nature of the administration, the Head of Service said Ogun was the first state in the South West to come up with diverse palliative measures to cushion the effect of the increase in the pump prices of Petroleum products, made capacity building second to none in its scheme of schedules and has not neglected workers’ healthcare with the approval of 50 percent cost to be borne by the government through the Ogun State Health Insurance Scheme.
On consequential adjustments raised by the labour leader, Mr. Onasanya assured that the two committees set up on the issue have concluded their reports, which would be looked into.
He assured that his office would continue to leverage on the cordial relationship with the labour unions towards enhancing the welfare of the workers.
Earlier in his submission, Comrade Ademola-Benco said the visit was to appreciate the Head of Service for the opportunity to engage him directly, especially on matters that impact on the welfare of the workforce.
While thanking the State Government for its unflinching support towards the welfare of workers, he listed some demands to include consequential adjustments on monthly pensions, the contributory pension scheme, release of all deductions and leave allowances among others.
Also speaking, the 2nd Vice Chairman, NLC, Mrs. Bidemi Alafiatayo appreciated the Governor Abiodun-led administration for being worker-friendly with many welfare packages.