The leadership of the Nigeria Civil Service Union (NCSU) on Wednesday conferred on Governor Gboyega Oyetola the Workers-Friendly Award for his prompt response to workers’ welfare in the State.
This is as the union lauded the Administration of the Governor for continuously taking the welfare and general well-being of the residents, particularly workers, as priority since assumption of office.
The leadership and members of the Union, who met with the the Governor in Osogbo, the state capital, consequently threw their weight behind the Governor and endorsed him for second term, saying they would do all things possible to re-elect him for giving them the best place they deserved as proletariats.
In his acceptance speech, Governor Oyetola appreciated the leadership and members of the Union for being supportive of his Administration since inception.
He commended Osun workers for their high sense of diligence, commitment, loyalty and passion for the government as being displayed in their collective quest to move the State to greater heights.
“I appreciate the National leadership of the Nigeria Civil Service Union for the visit and welcome you formally to Osun. I equally thank you for choosing Osun as the host for your Southwest Zonal Meeting.
“As a government, we have been enjoying the hands of fellowship from our workers since we came on board and I must confess to you that I am overwhelmed by the show of love which you all displayed.
“Our government is workers friendly. We have been partners in progress. Labour played a significant role in my emergence as the candidate of our party and subsequently my emergence as the Governor of the State.
“As you all know, our government has been fulfilling its promise made to ensure the payment of full salaries as and when due. We have also not failed in our responsibility to ensure payment of full pensions and gratuities regularly since 2018, including gradual clearing of the backlog of arrears inherited.
“We have provided robust Health Insurance Scheme for our workers and our Administration has also upgraded over 200 members of staff of UNIOSUN Teaching Hospital just as we also pardoned 962 civil servants who had been pencilled for demotion for embarking on further studies without approval.
READ ALSO: Osun APC: Oyetola states commitment to unity, vibrant party
“And above all, we are paying Minimum Wage despite the obvious economic challenges in the country. These and many others are being done by our government to show that we value our workers and will never do anything to undermine their welfare.
“We are going to do more for workers. You have demonstrated that you are good partners in progress. I am very honoured today by the presence of your members who came from far and near.
“It is therefore a very cherished honour that will no doubt continue to boost our resolve to constantly put our teeming workers first.
“I wish to, once again, thank you all for finding me worthy of this honour. It is a call to do more for our hardworking workers and for the people of our great State. I shall not disappoint you,” he added.
He therefore dedicated the award to the good people of the State, particularly workers for their unflinching and unalloyed support.
Speaking on behalf of the members of the Union at a One-Day Retreat and Award Presentation of the award of Nigeria Civil Service Union Southwest Zone, held in Osogbo, the National President of the Nigeria Civil Service Union, Comrade Lawrence Uchechukwu Amaechi, lauded the tremendous achievements the Administration had recorded in the last two and half years.
Amaechi, who described Governor Oyetola as the best among the equals in the country, noted that the Union would continue to be grateful for the good gesture the Administration had extended to workers so far.
According to him, it was good to celebrate the inimitable hands of fellowship being extended to workers in the State by the Oyetola- led Administration.
“We have been following the progress of Union across the country, and Osun stood out as a State where the welfare of workers was attended to without negotiation.
“We are grateful to you because you have done very well since taking over leadership responsibility. We know what you inherited, but today, the story is different because workers across the State are happy.
“You are not among the bad leaders we have in this country. You are a good man. And when a good man leads, people’s lives get better.
“It is on record that Osun is among the States where we didn’t negotiate before the minimum wage was approved and paid to workers.
“I give kudos to the Governor for keeping faith with the workers’ welfare. I was here few years ago, but I couldn’t see smile on the faces of our colleagues because they were being paid half salaries and owed. But we thank God that today they receive their salaries and pensions in full.
“It is in recognition of this that we were resolved to give you an award because of your good deeds and excellent performance across sectors of the economy. I am here today to join my members not because of anything but because you have demonstrated leadership that caters for the interest of all, most importantly the workforce.
“In fact, you have done very well in Osun. We don’t just give awards to people, but to those that deserve it. You deserve it. That is why we have resolved to give you as a show of appreciation for your resilience, doggedness, commitment and passion for the socioeconomic development and general welfare of the people, particularly workers in Osun.
“It is very expedient that workers of Osun have seen the light through your commitment to good governance. I promise our continued cooperation and loyalty to advance the State,” he added.
Earlier in his welcome address, State Chairman, NCSU, Comrade Abimbola Arapasopo, commended the Governor for being faithful to his electioneering promises made to reposition the civil service and make life meaningful and worthwhile for all categories of workers in the State.
Arapasopo who acknowledged the Governor for doing great things out of the obvious meagre resources, noted that the Adminstration has been doing excellently well in all spheres of life.
Also speaking, the State Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Jacob Babatunde Adekomi, and State Chairman Joint Negotiation Council, Comrade Bayo Adejumo, appreciated the Governor for promoting the welfare and well-being of workers in the State.
In his remarks, the Head of Service of the State, Dr. Festus Olowogboyega Oyebade, lauded Oyetola for being passionate about everything that concerns the welfare and wellbeing of workers.
He added that Oyetola has proved himself as a father beyond the call of his official duties.
“No leader in the history of Osun has accomplished what Oyetola has done in terms of relationship with workers. He lives by the principles of recognising the other person, not just by names but by needs. He is a very disciplined man with money, materials and other resources,” Oyebade said.
Those in attendance were Wife of the Governor, Mrs. Kafayat Oyetola; Deputy Governor, Mr. Benedict Alabi; Speaker, Osun House of Assembly, Hon. Timothy Owoeye; some members of the State House of Assembly; Deputy Chief of Staff, Prince Abdulah Binuyo; some members of the State Executive Council; members of the State Civil Service, State Labour Leaders, among others.
