Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has rallied civil servants in the State to join hands with him to lift the State to an enviable height.
The Governor made the call on Monday at the celebration of the year 2023 Workers Day held at Osogbo Township Stadium in the State Capital.
The event saw the workers,from all sectors, trooped out en-mass wearing different attire to grace the day. The Governor noted that workers are the bedrock of development of the State who should be accorded a pride of place in the society.
Senator Adeleke, who was full of appreciation to God and the workforce for the opportunity given him to deliver his first address at the workers day celebration since assumption, as the 6th Executive Governor of the State ,said what he met on ground after he was sworn -in in November, 2023 has strengthened his decision to prioritize workers welfare through his 5-point agenda which necessitated his commitment to prompt payment of salaries and pensions, addressing matters of promotion areas and payment of backlog of half salaries owned by the past administration.
Governor Adeleke stressed that the era of appointment of Coordinating Directors will soon be over, pledging to work with the state Head of Service to appoint those who are qualified to the post of Permanent Secretaries.
He added that his administration has embarked on provision of infrastructural facilities across the State which included provision of water, construction and rehabilitation of roads among others, stressing that all these will boost the economy of the State.
Governor Adeleke therefore said his door is ever opened to receive positive advices from the labour leaders.
While speaking, the Director, Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity, Osun State, Alhaja Sidikat Ayinla noted that workers are so important to the progress of the State.
She urged workers to be committed, dutiful and diligent to their callings to enhance productivity and growth of Osun State.
She thanked the Governor for being workers’ friendly, praying for a successful tenure in Office for the State Helmsman.
In their separate address, the State Chairman of the Trade Union Congress, Comrade Adekola Adebowale and his counterpart in the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Modupeola Oyedele congratulated Governor Adeleke on his election as the 6th Executive Governor of the State.
They eulogized the Governor for prioritizing workers’ welfare in the State through prompt payment of salaries and pensions as well as implementation of promotion for workers and others.
The duo used the occasion to make some requests, including declaration of State of emergency on pension issue, pointing out that many workers now see retirement as death sentence due to non payment of gratuities and pensions.
The labour leaders also urged the Governor to put an end to contract staff which,he observed is affecting the workers productivity in the State, while charging him to stop the idea of extension of service of some highly influential workers, advancing that it is preventing other qualified workers from rising to the pick of their careers.
They however urged the Governor to appoint Permanent Secretaries to fill the existing vacancies as there are a lots of qualified Directors that can be appointed, appealing to the Governor to eradicate the appointment of Coordinating Directors in the State.
Highlights of the event were: March past by workers of different categories, pensioners, and informal workers, Cultural entertainment by the Osun Cultural Troupe, salutation of workers by the Governor and his entourage, among others.
Present at the occasion were: Deputy Governor, Prince Kola Adewusi, Speaker, Osun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Timothy Owoeye, members Osun House of Assembly, Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Teslim Igbalaye, Chief of staff to the Governor, Alhaji Kazeem Akinleye, Head of Service, Mr Ayanleye Aina, Traditional Rulers, political functionaries to mention but a few.
